It’s our routine to leave a completed puzzle out for a bit before packing it up.
Often there’s a piece missing. Sometimes more than one. The first puzzle we did after returning from Colorado was missing a single piece. We’d been down on hands and knees, combing the rug more than once looking for it. I emptied the barrel of the vacuum too, also to no avail. We thought the piece was well and truly missing.
And so, when it showed up on the floor near the edge of the rug a couple of days later (see white circle above), I was shocked. It’s a very visible placement, one we’d walked past repeatedly over the course of a few days. All I could think was, “Dan.”
There’s a specialty puzzle shop on Pearl Street in Boulder that features a big dish of stray puzzle pieces. Customers are welcome to take one. On one of our last two trips to Boulder, we went in with Danny so he could take a piece. It was something he did. Here are three pieces that we found among his belongings.
And then this.
I was cleaning our front door, a task I don’t do often but certainly have done many times over the years. Never before, however, have I noticed Danny’s signature scratched into the acrylic. But there it was, plain as day.
That’s part of why when later that afternoon a robin flapped down three feet away and looked at me, I said, “Hello Dan.” And I heard back, “Hi Mom.”
PS I forgot to mention that a couple of days ago while taking a walk I dipped my hand into my cardigan pocket and was surprised to find a puzzle piece there.
Everything about this post made me smile .. your gardens are beautiful!!! Those puzzle pieces .. they are amazing and I know how much they’ll be treasured. Danny is everywhere .. will be everywhere! It makes me happy that seeing Mr. Robin started conversation … one of many many to come. Love never dies.
Even if ridiculous, I’ll take my comfort where I find it.
You just gave me chill bumps and a grin 💙
Hi Dan!
One of the robins came super close again this morning.
I’ve been waiting for this for you.
They want us to see beauty, to feel joy and wonder again.
I think that’s true. About them wanting what is good for us.
Dee~ Wow, what a puzzle of a story! Love reading about all of those connections. The puzzle pieces are so curious to me. They surely hold some sort of story!
Your yard is so lovely, lush and peaceful. No wonder you look forward to spending time out there! Funny how the patio, gathering spot looks so different from prior (close-up) photos. Seeing it placement in the yard reminds me of auditioning bits on one of your house quilts.
Take care.
Thank you for the reminder to take some long shots. A steady diet of close ups doesn’t give the whole picture and gets boring too.
I agree about the puzzle pieces. Three of anything can suggest a plot and certainly those three figures are intriguing.
Love that Danny communicates with you, birds seem open to opportunities to talk with us.
My Mom sends unusual feathers to me and 3 repeated numbers to my sister.
Where there is a will and an open heart…
The three numbers! I love that. Feathers seem to be a frequent means of communicating — from what I’m reading lately.
This made me cry. Sadness, joy, and hope.I believe deeply in connections, that we are all connected in ways we can’t understand. There’s wonder in that.
Whatever my beliefs are I share yours that we can’t understand all the ways of this world.
This does sound like his spirit at play. yup makes me cry, too.
So much crying.
What Hazel said … exactly … and there is such a gentle, quiet joy in it, even as you grieve … peace be … Liz A
Thank you Liz. And thank you again for the lovely Memorial Cloth. It feels so much better to see Danny’s box of ashes “dressed up.” Honored. Thank you.
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