Signs From Our Loved Ones

There is a wonderful facebook group that I work with - Signs From Our Loved Ones (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SignsFromOurLovedOnes/).  Guy Dusseault started this unique and loving group in November 2011 as a place where those grieving the loss of a loved one can connect and share and find hope in understanding that our bonds are eternal. We just reached 1,000 members!  I made these Mocha-Caramel Cappuccino cupcakes and posted this picture to the group to share in cyber-celebration.  I know our loved ones in spirit are celebrating with us!

Five Year Angelversary

Five years ago today life as I knew it changed forever with the sudden passing from this earthly life of my precious son, Graham. He lives with me now in a different way. I miss his physical presence more than I could ever say, but he is

always with me. I treasure every moment we had together while he was here. I am so grateful to have been his mother and for the eternal loving bonds that we share. Graham continues to teach me many things. Love never dies.

Angelis - "Even Though You Are Gone"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUaSddkWl7c

Graham

Our son, you will be forever young,
A handsome man with a heart of gold,
Never having to grow old,
Eternally twenty-two,
To all who knew you.

A loving son and remarkable young man,
Even within your short life span,
You had an amazing mind and tremendous drive,
The power to succeed and thrive,
A visionary artist with a great sense of style,
And the most beautiful smile.

For every wonderful year that we had,
In the joy of being your mom and dad,
For all the love that we knew,
We honor and thank you.

Copyright © C.A. Stevenson 2009

Serenity Prayer Message

This afternoon I noticed that a couple of my patio table chairs had blown over from a strong wind.  As I was walking towards the chairs to straighten them, I noticed there was a butterfly on the memorial bench I have for my son, Graham.  This bench has the famous lines from the Serenity Prayer on it.  The bench is on the patio and was near the two overturned chairs, or else I would never have noticed the butterfly on the bench.  The butterfly wasn't moving, and at first I thought that it was dead.   I went back inside the house to get my camera to take a picture.  I then saw it was alive, but it stayed on the bench for a couple of minutes allowing me to take several pictures of it.   I was sure the butterfly was there so that I would re-read these lines from this special prayer.  That was Graham's message and comfort for me. Graham's five year angelversary is on Saturday.  Forever in my heart.

Memorial Stone

Next week will be our son's five year angelversary.  It's still hard to believe that Graham is no longer physically here, and that it's been five years since we last saw him.  My husband and I decided to have a memorial (paver) stone made for him.  We wanted to honor his precious memory with something special to place beside the lovely koi pond/water feature in our back yard.  The pond was built as a memorial for Graham.  We ordered this personalized paver with Graham's picture and inscriptions from two of my poems.   "Only son, treasured one" is the title of the first poem that I wrote, and the other four lines are from my poem, "Graham."  We are so pleased with the stone.  It is beautifully done in black granite with laser engraving.  This picture we used of Graham is special to us because it was taken at a Fourth of July celebration we held with family and neighbors on our patio two months before he died.  The patio is next to the pond.  There is not a minute that we don't feel Graham's continued presence in our lives.  Thank you, Graham, for being our son.  We love you more than we could ever say. 

Here is the link to the site if you are interested in having a memorial paver.

http://www.ourcornermarket.com/Memorial-Pavers.html

Signs While Driving

My husband and I were out driving recently.  When we were stopped at a light I noticed a pick up truck in front of us because the model was a Dodge Ram Big Horn.  In addition to the Dodge Ram logo it had a silhouette of a ram on the back because it was a Big Horn model (see the picture).  My son, Graham, was an Aries, and the astrological sign for Aries is a ram.   I was looking at the truck and wondering about this possibly being a sign from Graham. When I was speculating about this to my husband he said there was another Big Horn truck in the left lane a couple of cars ahead.  At that moment Chris Daughtry's song "I'm Going Home" came on our car radio (here's the song on YouTube with lyrics - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ytod23dBeI).  This is a special song to me. I have it on my playlist of songs for Graham.  I believe that Graham was making sure that we knew these were signs from him with this further validation.  Our loved ones in spirit show us in so many different ways that they are truly always with us.

Love

Love

Love, unconditional,
The guiding principle,
When all else fails,
Love will prevail.

The greatest power there is to know,
When we tap into its flow,
A universal energy from God,
Strength for us when life is hard.

Accept, surrender, be at peace,
Open your heart and release,
As Spirit having a human life,
Distance yourself from earthly strife.

Through the filter of love’s eyes,
We can become very wise,
When we focus and search within,
Transformation will begin.

God provides so we don’t fail,
Through life’s trials and travails,
With unconditional support and love,
We learn what we are capable of.

In thankfulness and praise,
Acknowledge Spirit’s ways,
Be a channel of love and goodwill,
To help uplift the world and heal.

"From Within" Video

This is a lovely, inspirational video with the instrumental version of the song "Our Hearts Will Go On" as the background music.  I know this song has very special meaning for many of us.  This was the theme song from the movie, "Titanic."
"From Within" (Our Hearts Will Go On)

"You'll Be In My Heart" Song and Message

Wow!  Today I was driving and thinking about how my son, Graham, shows me that he is always with me.  When people in my life are not always there for me, Graham shows me that he is.  As I was thinking about how grateful I am for this, this song came on the radio!  "You'll Be in My Heart"  Tears filled my eyes.  There is no power greater than love.

I was very pleased to have the opportunity to be the guest on Pamela Marie Edmunds' Blog Talk Radio show, "Bridge Between Two Worlds," a few days ago.  I shared some of my poems and how my book, "A Mother's Tears -  Poems of Heartbreak, Loss, and Discovery," came about and the turn my life has taken with my son's death.  It was a heartfelt hour of love and sharing and connecting with others who have also experienced great loss.  Here is the archived link to the show-

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bridgebetween/2012/08/23/a-mothers-tears-with-author-claire-ann-stevenson

My Upcoming Radio Show Interview

This Wednesday, August 22, I will be a guest on Pamela Marie Edmunds blog talk radio show, "Bridge Between Two Worlds."  I will be discussing my book of poetry and the turn my life has taken with the passing of my son, Graham.  I hope that you will be able to listen.  Here is the link to the show-

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bridgebetween/2012/08/23/a-mothers-tears-with-author-claire-ann-stevenson

 

If you're unable to listen to this live, the show will be archived. 

Homecoming

When we cross over after we die,
There’s a celebration on the other side,
Do not cry when earthly life is done,
We are back home, moving to a higher rung.

The soul is eternal, we never end,
And we will all be together again,
Our loved ones cheer our return,
Rejoicing with us in what we have learned.

Our concept of time is limited while here,
We only think it’s linear,
There is no measurement for time,
In the universe’s eternal rhyme.

Give me the enlightenment to see,
That all is as it’s meant to be,
Time can seem to move too fast or too slow,
But with a spiritual perspective we come to know.

That whether life is short or long,
We are where we belong,
Playing out the plans of our soul,
On the path to becoming whole.

If I Die Young

Yesterday I had an appointment.  I was having a conversation with two of the women working there as I was getting ready to leave.  I was letting them know about Pamela Marie Edmund's radio show that I will be the guest on next week and the next thing I heard was the song, "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry playing!  I looked at them and said, "You see, Graham is always letting me know that he is here.  That song is one of the songs on my playlist."  One of the women said, "Oh, I have goosebumps!"  It's these signs from our loved ones that help us to keep going.  In case any of you have not heard this great song, here it is.  My favorite line is "Lord, make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother.  She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors."
Love to all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0iEj7alzAI

Mothers Hold Their Children's Hands for a Little While but Their Hearts Forever

A few days ago I spent a lovely day with two friends.  We drove to a special spiritual store at a lovely outdoor mall in Richmond.  We had lunch and shared many things with each other.  When I was talking about my son, Graham, tears naturally came.  I showed them the bracelets I was wearing and the significance of them.  One bracelet I wear almost every day has this wonderful inscription on it - "Mothers hold their children's hands for a little while but their hearts forever."  When we left the restaurant I was still teary eyed and thinking about Graham.  As we were walking by the store windows, one of my friends said, "Look at what is in this store window."  There was a pretty display of decorated canvases. Several of them were about mothers.  The one in this picture was in the center and one of the sayings on it is the very same inscription I had just shared with them from my bracelet!  We all felt that was not coincidental.  I think Graham wanted me to have this.  I bought it and have it in my bedroom.  I am so grateful for his messages of love.

Hummingbird Video

We were able to get this short video of a hummingbird tonight! Hummingbirds show how to accomplish what seems impossible and how to bring the miracle of joy back into our lives. They are a reminder for us to find happiness in all things. I work every day on rediscovering joy. Aren't they beautiful little messengers?

  (Note:  This was taken in HD, but apparently blogger.com does not have the capability of displaying videos in HD.)