{ a sign...}

when my father passed, about 20 or so years ago,
I began finding feathers everywhere i went...

not so strange, I guess, unless you lived in the city like I did,
and found feathers everywhere from inside my coat pockets
to under the dishes in my cabinets...
and this was waaayy before I lived on a farm,
where I now have a beautiful abundance of duck, chicken & guinea hen feathers...

I believe that these 'gifts' are sent from above...maybe shed from angel's wings...
and that my father placed them where I could find them
and enjoy their simple beauty and perhaps let me know he was ok....

Last week...a week ago this morning,
I bent down and kissed my sister Jo's forehead for the last time...
through my tears, I asked her to send me a sign that she was ok,
when she got to her destination....
I felt that she 'heard' me.

This morning, I came into the shop to start the day,
and usually when it's this cold, start the woodstove first thing....

as I knelt down to open the door,
I had the strangest feeling~
like I should open it verrrry slowly.

so I did.

and to my suprise and joy,
was the little bird that you see in my hand, above...

I haven't been here in the shop since wednesday,
so I don't know how long he was in the stove....
I do know that he wasn't frightened,
he just sort of looked at me like "well, finally...."
and let me take him into my hand.

I brought him outside, and after taking the pictures,
thanked him for visiting me
...and let him fly out above the pasture....
then realized that this was the sign from my sister.

...leave it to her to not just gift me with feathers, but a whole bird!

I hope you're all smiling at this post, yes it is sentimental, but a happy one, no?
i know I am...

and I'm positive Jo is smiling too...

Thank You....Sister.

Blessed be, all of you~

Lori

p.s. I will be listing my two santa paintings on ebay in just a little bit...

{{{ after I check the woodstove before I light it. }}}