{ It Happened … }

WELCOME BACK, MY FRIEND!! Wayne is proud of you, too.

Hi Val,

I’m a photographer in Fort Wayne, IN (Yea, where Matilda Jane is!) and a friend and photographer friend of Denise’s.

I lost my husband to cancer when I was 28. (7 years ago.) I just wanted to let you know that you aren’t crazy, I saw my husband too after he passed. I actually wrote about it a couple days ago on my blog when I finally sold his car: http://betsykingphoto.com/blog/?p=5056

I just wanted to stop by and cheer you on from someone who is reading your blog and remembers what that grief feels like. I remember cleaning out the bathroom vanity. Just seeing that your toothbrush is alone in the holder can knock the wind out of you. You are doing the work though which is wonderful. THere’s the grief of doing the hard stuff and then the peace that shimmers through for a small bits at a time.

If you need to talk to anybody who has been there, feel free to send me a line. BTW, have your wedding ring checked by your jeweler. I had mine checked a few months after my husband passed and my diamond was about to fall out from a loose prong. I still wear it, reset, even though I have married again.

I could write forever, just had to chime in. Lots of love and healing to you and your family.

He is there Val. It did happen. You are not alone. And for the record, you have amazing friends because you are an amazing friend…an amazing person. Love you.

God isGOOD!!!
I%20am%20SO%20happy%2C%20what%20a%20beautiful%20experience….and%20I%20don’t%20believe%20for%20a%20second%20that%20you%20are%20crazy%20in%20any%20way.%20You%20are%20awesome.
Love%2C%20always%2C%20Hels

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!I have goosebumps for you!!!
He wants you to be happy.
You want to hear my crazy moment?? I never believed in this stuff before one night a couple of years ago when I was putting my baby daughter to bed lying beside her in bed when I say “someone” I knew but was still alive alive. It was my father’s wife.. I had the overwhelming feeling that I was being told you need to call him, he needs you. My stepmother had died in bed (she was 52) of an aneurism(sorry if this is mis-spelled. He balled and asked me why I called him, I told him. Now I believe. They are all around us trying to help us.
I also believe we have no choice when it is our time. I believe it with every cell and being that he did not want to leave you. I also believe very strongly he wants you to move on. Never forget, but be happy, move forward. Show him how strong you are, he will rejoice in it with you. Now you have moved through to beig able to feel him. That is so wonderful. He wants you to know that he is ok. My father’s wife smiled at me…….
All the best.

I found you today because I saw a knot dress on the MJ site that stole my heart so then I thought I wonder if this has something to do with the other mention in this post of an auction …. so I searched auction on the MJ site and found a post that led me to your blog….. and now I am sitting at my kitchen table bawling like a baby because your words are so powerful and meaningful. I am very sorry for your loss you obviously love Wayne VERY MUCH. Talk to him all the time ……. he will answer you and guide you. I hope for you many days of windows open and soft breezes!!!

I found you through Barb Uil’s blog.
I can’t imagine the pain you are going through. Both my grandparents passed, my grandma, about 10 yrs. ago, and grandpa just last month. I didn’t have a profound sign as you did, but I see grandma all the time. In my face in the mirror, in my kids, she’s always with me. As your husband will be with you.

Hey, you don’t know me, but I found the link to your blog on another friends blog. I have been following the story of your husband and it breaks my heart, I am so sorry! I am so glad you had “the moment” and felt peace and felt him with you!

Wow, absolutely amazing!!!!! Praying for you girl!!!!

OH, dear, sweet Val. You should se the puddle of tears all over my desk right now. It DID happen, because I had the same experience when my dad died… it is something that no one else can understand unless they’ve experienced it themselves-pretty indescribable, but you put it into such tangible and touching words. He is there. His world is not so far away from ours. Hold on to that. So glad the sun shined in more than one way for you today. Perfect. Let the sun shine in, girl… let it shine!!! XOXOX

I truly believe that he came to you and you saw him. I think love wants us to move on and he is there helping you with that.

What a beautiful morning.

I am brand new to your blog today- found through Ashley Ann at Under the Sycamore. I am sobbing as I read through your posts and try to imagine for one second what you’re going through. I am currently watching my mom struggle with brain cancer and know that it’s a day to day process- sometimes the words and phone calls and comments are so encouraging and some days they’re the very last thing you want to read/hear/think about.
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story and your life and to ensure you that you and your children are in my prayers.

Hi. I stumbled on your blog thru ashley ann photography. It struck a chord because I lost my husband, my kids’ daddy, in many ways my identity, almost 7 mo ago in a liver transplant. The strangest things are hard. The closets, the cabinets, taking over space, etc. I relate. And the strangest things are not “as” hard.

This weekend I helped a friend move. I felt his absense in a huge way, he would have been the first to load boxes and the last to leave. I expected to miss my friend – but instead I missed him.

The only book that has been helpful so far is “A Time to Grieve” it has one page sections, you don’t have to follow chapters consecutively, etc. I find much of it relatable.

Feel free to contact me. I understand if you don’t.

I just found you via oneshabbychick. This is a beautiful post. I don’t think you’re crazy, and even though I don’t know you, your words brought tears to my eyes. My thoughts are with you today.

all i can say is that this post is beautiful. thanks for sharing your thoughts, even though i am sure it is hard for you.

This gave me chills and made me cry. My father was diagnosed with cancer 9 months ago today. Thankfully he is still with us (my mom and I) and we will hopefully have many more years with him, but that day has forever changed me and I will never be the same person again. Your story is amazing and I applaud you for taking those baby steps so soon.

you are far from crazy, love. it was him and he will continue to be with you day in and out. much love to you. hang in there, He & he will give you strength.
(i apologize if this is a dupe. i keep getting error messages.)

i am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I am so happy for the gift he gave you. i hope it helps ease the ache.

Oh Valerie!

I read about you and your story at Ashley Ann´s blog and I ran into here!

Just because I want you to be sure that you are not crazy, this kind of things (and dreams, and kid´s questions that you will have to answer, and…) will happen and will pass.

When my husband suddenly passed away (in a car accident he was helping to save the victims), last January, I felt lost. I know I have to move on but I didnt know WHERE to begin it. And it felt so unfaire and unreal when people told me “I know what you are soufering…”. I wanted to cry “No. You dont. You can imagine but you don´t KNOW”. And I have no exemples (thank God), no young widow with 2 little kids to raise around me or in my contact… someone who could possibly give me some light, some direction. Someone who were or have been in my shoes before. And it felt so much better when I finnaly found someone to talk to, who really understands me…

So I just wanna say: I´m here! If you want to talk. If you want to cry. If you want to share. If you want someone that is still in your shoes, I´m here (my blog has translation button: diariodos3mosqueteiros.blogspot.com or my e-mail miriane.segalla@gmail.com).

God bless you.
Kisses for the kids.
Be strengh, girl, and keep trying (a little bit everyday!).
Congrats for the windonws!

Mirys

what a wonderful blessing… he loves you. Oh, he loves you. I pray those peaceful moments continue to surround you. xo

I don’t know you.

I think I’ve actually been to your blog before today, but it may have just been in passing or a link from a friend saying, “check out this blog.”

But I heard about you today. And your husband. And I just read your blog and bawled my eyes out. Sure, I’m pregnant (we lost our first in September to miscarriage at 14 weeks). I’m emotional. But even if I weren’t, I would have cried. I’m hurting for you. So badly.

Even though I don’t know you, I want to hug you. And take you to my favorite tea place. And we’ll just sit and people watch and drink delicious tea and eat sandwiches and soup and salad and cupcakes. And it would be lovely.

You’re in my thoughts and prayers, Beautiful Lady. Even though we don’t know each other, know that someone in Austin is cyber-hugging you today.

… this is why you pull us in, and we keep coming back to read your posts. Goodness girl, you’ve got a gift. I was crying my eyes out and experiencing those goosebumps right along with you!

Damn straight he’s there. I believe it, Val. I sincerely believe it. Don’t even THINK for ONE MINUTE that you are crazy. He’ll be with you for as long as you need him.

Believe it.

i received a link to the auction through ketti handbags this evening and shared it. my heart goes out to you (and your family) in your loss. i will be praying for your family. let the light shine in….

Thanks…. with tears in my eyes! May God continue to show you his Grace!

Val, your strength amazes me. Your thoughts are so full of love. You are more than worthy of all the love and friendships you have. You’re such a unbelievably, amazing wife, mother, friend…..Wayne was with you, and I believe he came back to let you know that he only left you for a moment….and he’ll be with you forever more. Xo

so sorry for your loss. i don’t think you’re crazy at all for “seeing him.” i believe you as i’ve had the experience of feeling a loved one who has left this earth. you don’t know me and i don’t know you, but through a friend of a friend, was told about your beloved passing and led me to the auction where i bid and won an item. you will be in my prayers.

Hi there, I just found your blog through under the sycamore. I am so sorry you are going through this, it just is not fair. You know, I have never known if I believe in Ghosts or Spirits, but I believe you. My friend lost her daughter this summer and a bunch of butterflies were out and one landed on her cheek as she was driving, I truely believe that was her little girl saying I am with you mom, and I believe your husband was there with you and always will be though you can’t see him. I am sending you hugs though I have just met you through your blog. Prayers are going up for you.

<3 and more <3, sweet mama. Can't wait to chat with you when you are ready.

I’ve just found your blog. I’m so very sorry. But this moment that you describe has happend to both me and my dad. My brother. He took his life in December 2007. He and my dad worked together. For 15 years…maybe more. One day my dad was at work, sitting down, head down, looking at his feet (he was in the bathroom). The door opened slightly, dad didn’t see who it was, except that person was wearing my brother’s shirt. One my dad actually recognized. And then my dad smelled him. My brother who always smelled so good, like that boy you had a crush on in high school who always had on the good cologne. And just enough, not too much. Strangely last winter my husband and I were at a “Man Show” at the fair grounds. We were in an empty part of the building. You know the kind, dirt floors, super high ceilings. There was no one for yards and yards. Like 60 or 70 yards. And yet, I turned my head to look in the direction of something and there was my brother. I closed my eyes and smelled him. I didn’t even know that I remembered what his cologne smelled like but in that instant, I knew it was him. Two years later. I was on my knees bawling. My husband held me. I still wish for him to come back to me. For me to know that it wasn’t imagined. That it was him. I still believe it was and I believe you. I know he was there. Blessing you and letting you know that he’s okay. I wish you were. God bless you.

It%E2%80%99s%20a%20wonderful%20experience%20when%20the%20veil%20is%20lifted%2C%20if%20only%20for%20a%20moment%2C%20allowing%20for%20us%20to%20see%20or%20touch%20our%20loved%20ones%20who%20have%20journeyed%20on%20ahead%20of%20us.%20My%20eternal%20companion%20moved%20ahead%20almost%2012%20years%20ago%20to%20prepare%20a%20place%20for%20us.%20I%20went%20into%20labor%209%20weeks%20early%20with%20our%209th%20child.%20My%20second%20night%20in%20the%20hospital%20He%20passed%20as%20the%20result%20of%20a%20grand%20mal%20seizure%20while%20sleeping.%20He%20had%20a%20brain%20tumor%20but%20had%20been%20seizure%20free%20for%20several%20years.%20I%20had%20our%20baby%20the%20day%20after%20his%20funeral.%20I%20missed%20my%20husband%20so%20much%20that%20my%20heart%20physically%20hurt.%20It%20took%20me%20forever%20to%20clean%20out%20his%20drawers%3B%20somehow%20it%20made%20it%20seem%20less%20final%20having%20his%20clothes%20there%2C%20his%20watch%20on%20the%20dresser%20where%20he%20left%20it.%20I%20would%20plead%20with%20Heavenly%20Father%20to%20see%20him%2C%20I%20needed%20him.%20One%20night%20while%20sleeping%20I%20felt%20someone%20holding%20me%2C%20I%20cried%20out%20%E2%80%9Cgo%20away%E2%80%9D%20then%20I%20heard%20him%20say%20%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20okay%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20me%E2%80%9D%2C%20I%20reached%20up%2C%20felt%20his%20head%20and%20fell%20back%20asleep.%20I%20knew%20that%20it%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20a%20dream%20and%20our%20oldest%20son%2C%2017%20at%20the%20time%2C%20confirmed%20that%20his%20dad%20had%20been%20there%20that%20night%3B%20he%20woke%20up%20and%20saw%20him%20standing%20at%20the%20foot%20of%20his%20bed.%20I%20know%20that%20he%20watches%20over%20us%20daily.%20Our%20baby%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20supposed%20to%20live%20more%20than%203%20days%20after%20she%20was%20born.%20She%20is%20here%20with%20us%20today%20as%20a%20direct%20result%20of%20her%20daddy%20petitioning%20Heavenly%20Father%2C%20several%20times%2C%20in%20her%20behalf(medically%20she%20shouldn%E2%80%99t%20be%20here).I%20look%20forward%20to%20the%20future%20when%20we%20will%20all%20be%20together%20again.%20You%20will%20always%20count%E2%80%A6%20days%2C%20weeks%2C%20months%2C%20years%2C%20event%E2%80%99s.%20There%20will%20always%20be%20%E2%80%9Cfirst%E2%80%99s%E2%80%9D%2C%20long%20after%20the%20%E2%80%9Cfirst%20year%E2%80%9D.%20Cherish%20your%20memories%20and%20your%20future.%20You%20are%20never%20alone!