Is that my sister? Still hanging around?
If you look closely, you can spy the back of a turkey just beyond our window.
Seeing turkeys is not unusual around here. In fact, we see them often.
But this one was alone, which is a little unusual, and more to the spooky point about appearances from the dead, this one showed up right after I’d run through a couple of internal questions about my sister.
My sister, as you know, died in 2019. In the immediate aftermath of her passing I asked for some sign of her (as one does) and what appeared was a lone turkey in a tree top just up the street. It was so startling, I blogged about it: Signs, March 31, 2019.
In the hour prior to this present day bird’s appearance, I’d been doing a silly exercise — posing yes/no questions before a solitaire game and reading a win as a “yes” and a loss as a “no.” Am I the only one who indulges in low-key divination attempts like this?
Anyway, first I asked: Is Noreen still around?
Yes. (But I knew this). See posts about shattered Pyrex here. The painting falling like a guillotine in Los Angeles, here.
Second, I asked: Do I need to ask her to leave?
Also, Yes.
Well then!
We leave for Rome on Monday. The last time I traveled there was right after my sister died. There had been a mad dash to empty her apartment and square her finances before boarding a plane. I wasn’t panicked about time but it wasn’t exactly cathartic either. Friends helped.
I wonder if that’s part of why she is on my mind today.
I’m allowing myself to imagine what that might feel like. Breathing. Combine that with getting a book 12 or more years in the making out (this summer, I hope) and I may not recognize myself. Burdens set down.
There are many ways to say “Buon Viaggio”, happy travels in Italian. Perhaps Noreen, without access to another Italian map, chose a turkey, symbolic for you, to let you know that she is still around, happy for this upcoming trip for you and your family. Possibly she will not leave until you return and share your impressions, feelings, thoughts and adventures with all of us, and, certainly with her…
Safe travels Dee and safe home.
To this day I think of you and your sister…there is such a powerful story there. Your modified ‘game’ got me thinking. I do believe in such things and have had circumstances after my mama died that confirmed that…but, I’ve not asked for a sign, nor do I look for them, really. After my mom died, I was more tuned in…so I had more experiences. Perhaps the lesson from your words today is that by asking, one opens herself up to not only signs, but to answers? closure? peace? Does this work with people still alive, but missing from our lives.
Anyway, I went back and read all of the links, revisiting those times with you. What a gift. I love seeing the childhood pics and see them as that was a part of things too…not just the harder, later years.
Can’t wait for your book!
Have an absolutely wonderful and safe trip! I keep seeing Rome pop up in so many places recently – so you must be on my mind! I look forward to your sharing upon your return.
Sade travels Dee! Tell Nor she can come by crab meadow as a turkey any time.
Safe journey Dee. I’m looking forward to your travel tales! Italy suits you I’m guessing, seeing as you are returning.
I too love your childhood photos, it allows me a glimpse of you and then takes me down memory lane, where nostalgia is permitted in small doses, otherwise it can become too overwhelming I find…..
Personally I don’t believe in signs-from-beyond, rather think what we notice helps us cope with certain issues our own energy is what makes things happen.
Who knows, maybe next week I might say the exact opposite;-)
p.s.
despite living in Europe I have never been to Rome, which is a darn shame; another one of those places on my bucketlist….for now I’ll ‘be’ there through you, hope you have fun xx
I’m not really committed to this “other side” thing. What you suggest is more plausible.
I can’t believe I’m going there again when I haven’t been to Spain or Greece or Morocco or or or
my all-time favorite bible verse (from the time when I was into such things) is John 4:48 “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (KJV natch)
wishing you safe travels and much happy memory making (oh, the food)
A firing verse! Thanks for the good wishes. And yeah, I am looking forward to all the good eats!