hands from heaven

Do you believe in spirits? And do you believe they can transcend the spirit world and touch a human?

I've been waiting for a sign ever since my grandparents died. Gramps went first in 2001, just 2 months before his 90th birthday. He died a happy man and I still picture him looking content with a grin on his face and a sparkle in his hazel eyes. I dreamed about him last week, a treasured few moments in which I got to hug him again.

Grama went 5 years after Gramps, and it wasn't an easy 5 years for her. In fact, it was horrible as she was wrought with anxiety and depression right to the end. Although I had a beautiful moment holding her frail little hand as I said my last goodbye at her bedside, I choose to draw on my childhood and teen memories of her.

I was always her favorite grandchild, I am sure. She wanted good things for me, and I know she smiles now at all the love I have found in my life. She probably even winks at some of my escapades, as I believe the female sex drive runs rampant in my family, inherited straight down the line from Gram.

Anyway.......I have a wind chime in my bedroom that I had always hoped she would ring from beyond. It has never rung. And that's ok, because in the last week, Gram has started touching me. Mostly when I am standing in my kitchen, I feel a warm hand against the left side of my back, behind where my heart is.

I don't feel it away from home, ever. When it first started in my kitchen I immediately thought of her. And so I believe it is her.What else would it be? I welcome it, just as I would welcome her to visit me. I am fascinated by the possibility.

OMG in FLA

This is the coolest story from my trip to Florida. I couldn't wait to tell my family when I got home. I knew it would give them goosebumps.

Before Rob & I went to Florida together, I collected visitor's guides and did my usual research to familiarize myself with the area. I do this so that I can maximize our time and money while we're away, since we don't get away very often. This sure beats driving aimlessly looking for restaurants or hot spots to visit.

We were headed to Sanibel/Captiva Island on the last leg of our Florida trip. The island's guide that I ordered listed all the places to eat and described them, their menu, pricing etc. I came across a restaurant called Gramma Dot's. Well, they could have served pig's feet and tripe for all I cared, but I knew I had to go there. Dot was my grandma's name, and she had died only the year before.

Lucky for us, the restaurant served great seafood and just happened to be situated on one of the most exclusive yacht club's on Sanibel. It was beautiful there, and the day couldn't have been lovelier. See the pretty boat? (I am not a boat person, but she sure is purty!)

OK, so I'm all excited that I've found this treasure of a restaurant, and feeling all warm and fuzzy remembering Gram and how I was absolutely convinced that I was her favorite grandchild (of 6). She had a knack for making me feel special.

As we walk up the path to the restaurant we see this funny little figure sort of standing guard at the entrance. I remember thinking how neat that guy would look in my garden with his yellow rain gear and all.

We get a little closer and I stopped dead in my tracks. I don't know which came first, the goosebumps or the tears welling up in my eyes. I stand for a moment and stare. Rob stops too, wondering what has come over me...

There, painted onto the little figure's cap was his name, Capt. Gill.

Gil was my grandpa's name, Dot's husband of 60+ years. He'd died a few years before she did. He'd been the first close family member to die and we all missed him.

I couldn't believe my eyes. And I felt so blessed at the same time. I felt like they were saying hello to me from the great beyond.

I seriously considered snatching Capt. Gill, tossing him into the trunk of the rental car, and speeding off. However, I would have had to buy another plane ticket to get him all the way home.