Saturday, February 6, 2016

Seeing Red


Sometimes the smallest gift is really a spontaneous gesture filled with so much kindness that it makes your heart overflow with gratitude. This picture is one such gift.

My oldest friend's husband snapped this picture on his phone as he left the church after my mother's funeral.  He was struck by the unusual reds that danced across in the sky, and the fact that my mother had asked all of her family to wear red to the service in celebration of her life.

The cold November day we buried our mom, I watched the stunning sunset unfold from the church pew-- at times filling the entire sky in varying shades of red-- as I listened to the minister speak of our clothing choices.

Now, on the rare occasion the skies blaze the same beautiful reds I saw that day, I take it, in all it's glory, as a nudge from our mother to stay strong and be happy.

My friends recently shared this photo with me, not quite sure how I would receive it.  My eyes opened wide the moment I saw it because I knew instantly when it had been taken... at the very end of the service, just before the sunset faded away.

Truly, it's one of the greatest gifts I've ever been given.

15 comments:

  1. I am sure there is something in that, Joanna.
    A similar example was at my wife's funeral when in chrch we played my daughter Selina, singing her recording of Schubert's Ave Maria. As soon as the CD started to play sunlight streamed through a stained glass window onto Maria's coffin, and remained there until the recording finished and then it faded. I took that as a wonderful sign from her . . .

    There is life and hope for us . . . :) Eddie xx

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  2. It's a beautiful thoughtful photo, glad you had kind memories.

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  3. Oh, Joanna. What a beautiful memory from a sad day. To have something like this to hold onto is indeed a gift and in many more ways than one. Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman with an incredible outlook on life. I love the idea of wearing red -- and even the sky dressed for the occasion.

    I do believe we get messages of a sort, messages that say "I'm in your heart." For you, a red sky. For others a bird or a song. All as unique as the person who was part of your life. This photo is a treasure.

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  4. It's beautiful to think that you will always see your mother in the red skies of sunset. This is a lovely and poignant post. Thank you for sharing it. :-)

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  5. Beautiful! What a lovely way to remember your mother. And a wonderful example of joy and wonder in the midst of pain and loss.

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  6. How beautiful to end the day that way, it's as if your Mom was saying it's okay, I'm in heaven and now I'm your angel watching over you. How awesome that she asked you all to wear Red and celebrate her life. She must have been an amazing woman JJ! Hugs.

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  7. What a touching tribute to your mum.

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  8. What a beautiful gift.. and memory. I have had similar nudges from beyond.. unmistakable reminders that those we have lost are still with us in some way. It is indeed a gift.

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  9. Wonderful, JJ - a gift indeed. Take care.

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  10. How wonderful that the beautiful brilliant red skies of sunset will always bring your beloved mother to mind. What a thoughtful gesture of this gentleman to send a picture of God's artwork on the day of your mother's funeral.

    Warm hugs, Joanna.

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  11. What a lovely gesture on your friend's part.

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  12. Special sky, special memory, special friends - you're a rich woman! God is present and he speaks to us in some very creative ways. He spoke and you heard. Gives me shivers just to think about it!!

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  13. I came back to read this again. I didn't comment on it the first time. I found it beautiful and such a powerful thing to realize how a parent finds a way to let us know they are still in love with us even though the world has changed so greatly in their leaving. Dear Snarky Sister, hello.

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