Hi Anna,
I have been very hesitant to send this to you, but I just must. I'm sure you don't remember me, but I have been following your blog since the accident and sent you some pictures of the sky from the night of the accident a few months back. I know this has been a difficult month for you and hopefully what I am about to share will be comforting for you and I pray that you don't think I'm a nut job. The last thing I want is to cause you any pain at all, but I had to tell you what happened tonight.
I was sitting at my son's lacrosse practice tonight at XYZ Elementary school, the weather was gorgeous and as the sun began to set, I was taken by another strangely beautiful sky. I was sitting on the ground at the field and decided I would take some pictures of the sunset.
I had an overwhelming urge to look for something in the sky, the feeling of "look for Jack" kept going through my head (I hope that isn't weird, but I think about all of you all the time). So I looked to the other end of the field where the clouds were totally different than the view towards the school - bright and puffy sky and clouds. I still had the feeling that I needed to look for Jack, but honestly, I wasn't seeing anything so I kind of gave up and quit taking pics and started watching practice again.
Then something told me (very strongly) to look up now. I almost fell over and quickly grabbed my phone and started taking pics again. I hope you see what I saw, I even confirmed with my 8 yr old that I wasn't making myself see something that wasn't there - he saw what I saw. I will let you decide for yourself and if it looks like nothing, I apologize for bothering you.Wishing you peace and comfort each and every day – and especially today, for some reason it feels like a very special day. God Bless.
******Wow! I have always been "cloud impaired" and have never been able to see the rabbit or the teapot or whatever in the clouds...but I definitely see this. Thank you for sharing it with us!
122 comments:
Wow! Just wow! Signs are everywhere, we just have to be open to them. Still thinking about you always.
All I can say, is that these pictures bring tears to my eyes, but a sense of joy to my heart.....
wow. That's amazing.
Your angel son.
Goosebumps. Goosebumps. Goosebumps. God is good.
I'm reading this while getting my hair done and in the background is a song (no idea by who) - chorus is "Do you believe in what you see" Yes, yes I do...I see love and heaven and comfort and faith. Love to you Anna.
That is just so...COOL!
Oh my goodness! I have goosebumps...the good kind. Wow....he's there, Anna. He's there....
Just truly amazing
Wow!!
Wow, thanks Jack!
Wow! That is awesome!! Your boy is so special!!
That is awesome. How lovely of her to share with you.
You should know I'm like lots of followers in that I ck in all the time to see when you've posted. On days I don't see an update, I redouble my prayers. I've been on the edge of my seat to see what could possibly top the eagle non-sighting.
This post might be the best ever. What a gift - it gives so much faith to so many - and illustrates how much your family has touched people. Sharing seeing Jack in the heavens is a birthday gift to your readers. So, so many people are praying for you -- this weekend more than ever - and like me, are sending much love from all corners.
Wow! Reminds me of some verses I just snagged from Jack's favorite Bible app from the book of Hebrews:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Jack isn't finished impacting our earthly realm and God is still using him for His glory. Jack wants the eyes of the world to turn to Jesus and I think he's using signs and your blog to draw others to our Heavenly Father! You must be proud of your missionary!
Love you! Karen
Wow is right - I can't see anything else. It's like they aren't even clouds.
Anna, you are not a nutjob or losing you sh!t. I love hearing these stories. Don't they give hope to all of us? You're aren't the only one who looks for signs and sees them. Keep telling.
What a gift! You are truly blessed.
yup, there he is! that's him Anna! He wanted to send you a little message (with help from a kind reader and her camera phone) that he's okay...that he'll be celebrating his 13th birthday in a very big way up above. :-)
Unbelievably beautiful! I hope people always know that it's okay to share these kinds of things with us as grieving families! <3
love this so much!
tears, joy and sorrow, tears...so moving!
Wonderful and sweet.
I can see it! God works in all kinds of amazing ways, doesn't He? AMAZING! xo Diana
I got goosebumps when I saw this. Just WOW
So Very Sweet -- all because YOU are sharing, looking outward and upward in your grief -- allowing others to "see", know, and be touched by the amazing Grace of God. Peace.
Lou
That just gave me chills!
luv2run
O.K..........am I losing my mind? The third picture down, I SWEAR I see a boys face!
Seriously, freaking out here people!
luv2run
Your Jack is something special! An angel boy who finds clever ways to let his mother and loved ones know he is always present. Through my prayers for your family, I can honestly say my relationship with God has grown (and to be even more honest, it needed the work more than I cared to admit). These pictures are amazing but not as amazing as your son!
Peace,
Eliza
You will see him everywhere and sometimes in everything. To know you have others thinking of you and your family is truly a blessing. A blessing. For someone to see that so clearly and to share that with you is amazing. I think of you often.
This took my breath away! I think of you, Jack, Tim and Margaret always. Hugs and prayers! mariann
I stumbled on your blog about a month or so ago and have been reading through it and your family has been on my heart as you grieve the loss of Jack. This afternoon I was in the parking lot of the grocery store and suddenly you crossed my mind so I figured God was putting you on my heart/mind for a reason and prayed for you. All the signs and stories you share are amazing - God is good. I don't think you are losing it at all - keep telling us these things. I agree that Jack is more than OK -he is with Jesus, rejoicing - and you WILL be with him again. I'm so glad that you have this certainty. "For faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1
Goosebumps & tears... God is so amazing! Wow! Hello Angel Jack!!!
I related this story to my husband after giving him a quick rundown on all the blue ribbon/bird signs. As I showed him the pictures:
Me: "It's a bird! Isn't that crazy? I mean, just nuts."
Him: "I think it looks like an angel."
So now I'm chuckling because...am I really the only one who saw bird? Seems I must be more "cloud impaired" than you, Anna.
As so many others...sending up extra prayers for you these days.
amazing! just amazing! no words, just pure gratitude that your reader saw this and that jack is speaking to you through so many!
Awesome! The kind of awesome that you feel deep down.
Just overwhelming to see this. So grateful that someone captured it and shared. How thin the veil is, Anna. Jack, you are so loved on this earth. Thank you, Lord God for tender blessings. Wow.
WOW - but I'm curious, just what are each of you seeing? I saw 2 versions of a bird - the first with it's head up and kind of turned away, the very last pic looks like a bird in flight with the head down and to the lower left of the wings. Others seem to see an angel and someone mentioned a boys face. The differences are amazing, but I can now see them all. What a wonderful sign.
Beautiful. I am so glad that you have so many people looking out for you and sending the love. At first I saw a dragon, then an angel, but by the last few pics I was seeing your rare bird again very clearly. I love how Jack always finds a way to let you know that he is thinking of you. Not crazy at all, but super-cool and awesome. I do hope you felt some comfort in this, and it continues!
So amazing!
Wow. Amazing.
Truly amazing. So happy people are feeling comfortable sharing things like this with you. Awesome!
I don't believe in God or heaven but this had me teared up. I hope he is an angel somewhere giving you peace.
Amazing pictures, amazing clouds, amazing JACK!
In our house, one daughter saw butterflies, the other saw angels... but we ALL saw the birds... (and I vaguely remember seeing the actual clouds that day and thinking "how cool are they?!" but I was driving at the time so didn't study them too closely.)
Sending more love to you, Tim, and Margaret.
With love from the other side of town
I see birds-- like an eagle or a mourning dove. Margaret sees an angel, plus a baby beluga next to the bird. My friend sees the word "Jack" fading away above the clouds in photo # 3! What do you see?
Beautiful! and Amazing, Mary in NY
Looking at the pictures, suddenly my skin became prickly as the goosebumps popped up.
Hi, Jack!
Love, love, LOVE this.
(Am I'm so glad I'm not as crazy as I thought I might be. Along with the angel, I saw the baby beluga as well. if Margaret saw it, that means I'm in good company. Margaret rocks. ;-))
More goosebumps. Holy smokes. Incredible.
Many hugs and prayers,
Rach
I see a beautiful dove. Very clearly. Wings spread open, free. Thinking of you and your family every day.
oh my.. he soared so you could believe and see that he is free and happy... xoxo Patty
I thought that the bird to the left of the dove sorta looked like a woodpecker.
Take heart, and know that God is lifting you up this weekend, even as He cries & sorrows with you. I'm calling in the big guns (prayer-wise) this weekend, and putting my son Kaden on it. A prayer warrior like no other. You will be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers.
xo
Cindy
WOW. I am so glad that this friend shared this story and the photos with you too (I see a Jack bird). It's like these readers passing on evidence that something divine is indeed at work in this mysterious world of ours. It's crazy comforting to me, and I can only imagine the wonder you must be feeling.
love,
jbhat
Beautiful. In the center cloud I see a large bird carrying something in its mouth--perhaps it's food? As Moms we feed our young as you fed Jack.
I wonder whether Jack is now the large rare bird, and he's feeding you with these signs of his love...
Many prayers, dear Anna.
I just read your previous post and this one and, oh my, is right. I'm welling up here. So beautiful. So precious. These clouds, the lovely person who sent the photos, you, and your Jack.
Oh, my is right. How very close that precious Jack is to you, Anna. He must be cheek-to-cheek with you. Seeing these pictures and knowing for certain Jack is sending you love, Heaven seems to have come to you. Rejoicing with you in this blessing. I hope it brought comfort to Tim and Margaret, as well.
love,
Jen G.
But there was nothing in the blue sky photo was there? Or am I cloud-impaired too? I "only" see the angel ... or the bird ... in the darker sky.
Still. VERY cool. :)
Beautiful Anna. I can't see the fading letters... You'll have to show me later. First I saw and angel - but then could see the bird. It actually looks somewhat like a butterfly too. But the same idea is there for all - peaceful freedom.
Beautiful. I have been having some of these same things happen to me since losing my son. God is so amazing, sending us signs, just at the right times. Still praying for you and your family.
Goosebumps and tears....I see omg....I see and my heart is happy for you to see this too...he is an angel...and he is watching over you all. ((hugs))
I see the word Jack in the third photo too! Amazing.
Sorry, the second. To the right.
I have been following your blog since a few weeks before the accident. I can't describe the feeling when I found out about your loss of your son. I have been amazed at all the signs that you have been given that your son is still with you and looking over you. I thought "God, I hope I never know her heartache". I know somewhat what you are feeling though. My daughter was recently diagnosed as being autistic. Like you, I saw her future melting away. I do have my child here, I can physically touch her, hold her, but that is about it. She is locked away in her own little world. I know my pain is different from yours, but recently I find myself coming here for comfort. I hope I can find the grace and courage to deal with her diagnosis as you did with Jack. I am sorry to unload on you, but of everyone that is in my life you are the one that I find the most consolation with. Thank you and thank you Jack for being the special person that he still is.
Simply stunning! That Jack of yours is amazing!
Does anyone else see a boys face looking down at us in the third picture slightly to the left of center in the top part of the photo? I also see the bird or angel in the last several photos. I am a quiet follower and my heart goes out to your family. I believe in these signs. They are a gift to you from God and your sweet boy, comforting you and helping you to live each day a little easier than the day before. Much love to you Anna and family.
My prayer is always that you feel peace and that you feel the love and support around you, reading these post makes me feel prayers are answered!
I forgot to add....I also see a heart in the photos of the angel/bird....and just when I went back.....I see a face in all those photos too. On the right side looking down. I really don't think we are all "reaching" here. There are many things to see in these photos. Bless you.
Dear Anna, I just found your blog through YHL and I have been reading it for the past several hours now and cannot stop crying. I have two kids my son is 9 and my daughter is 11. I cannot imagine your unbearable pain, simply cannot imagine it. I wish I had some words of comfort for you. There are no words. Just know that your son has inspired me to be more kind, to pay more attention, to think more, to play more, to never give up, and to share others' joy. My prayers are with you and your family. May God bring you all peace.
Sharon
Anna,
The clouds are incredible! I have been noticing the sky every Thursday on my way home from work and it has truly been amazing on that day each week. I'm so glad your reader was able to capture these to share with you.
Just yesterday as I was walking home from the Metro I was thinking about signs, and who sees them (or is blessed with them), and what I believe or think about them, etc. when I felt compelled to look over at the fence next to me. I couldn't believe it when I saw five royal blue strips of plastic (they look like ribbons) weaved into the fence and waving in the breeze. Seriously, I have walked by this fence for months and have not seen them but they literally jumped out at me. I looked up and shouted, "o.k., o.k., I get it!"
Sending you extra prayers this weekend around Jack's birthday.
Love,
Claire P.
LOVE IT!!
Thinking of you and we'll especially praying for you throughout tomorrow...
Lisa G.
Wishing you and your family strentgh tomorrow on Jack's birthday (and always)...and hoping you are able to feel more of the happy memories than the sad ones. Happy Birthday Jack! Many people who were never lucky enough to know you personally will be thinking of you and celebrating your life tomorrow. :)
This reminded me of the "names in the sand" photos, and I thought you might be interested:
http://namesinthesand.blogspot.com/
Wow is right! And I went back to see if I could see the "picture of the boy" that luv2run saw in the 3rd picture. I do indeed see a person. It's very clear in the 4th picture, and it's a profile toward the right side, and he's very clearly praying. Angel.
I was just going to write to tell you I wished you strength and peace on Jack's birthday, but saw you'd posted before I started to write. What a gift these shots are. So lovely, buoyant and comforting. If you find your boy's spirit in them, make a copy! Save all these sighs so you can look back on how many people Jack has touched. Think of all of us, now, finding these moments of salvation in the midst of hectic, messy lives. He's making us stop, breathe and pay attention to beauty and silence and signs. Thanks, Jack.
Wow!God is great isn't He! That truly is something amazing.
Happy birthday, Jack!
Peace to you, Tim, and Margaret.
We love you. We love Jack. We lift you up in prayer this day and always.
There is NO WAY that is just a coincidence. Have no doubts where your boy is, hes in the arms of the creator and his host of angels.
Jack continues to have such an impact on so many lives in and outside the U.S.
Anna, you may just make me a believer.
Thinking of you, praying for you and loving you hard today. We've never met and I don't even follow your blog regularly, got here via Momastery. I've had a blue ribbon as my FB profile pic all week in honor of Jack's birthday today. I CANNOT STOP CRYING. Can't even give you any words of comfort or type coherently.
Love,
Mary
I just started following you recently, and reading your story just broke my heart. My prayers go out to you and your family during this time and today most of all, Jack's birthday. May your memories of him be extremely long and may God give you Peace!
Thinking of you especially today.
-Maureen
That did make my heart soar.
Happy Birthday, beautiful dear rare bird.
Wow and how awesome.... Special hugs and prayers this weekend.
Amen he lifts us up and wraps us in his love and grace.
Look at that. God and Jack works in mysterious ways and you were lucky enough to see this. I'm certain they made sure of it. What a team! Truly amazing.
Just saw this on Facebook - sharing it just in case it means something to you. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150714388806928&set=a.170338431927.157112.133840446927&type=1&theater
Ever since I found your blog through a friend, I think of you guys daily. Today, I won't be able to stop thinking about you! Happy Birthday Jack xxx
That is just simply amazing. I, too, usually struggle with seeing those sorts of things, but in those photos there was instant recognition. WOW! Thinking of you today, especially, as I know you are living a day you never imagined you would have to face. :(
Anna,
You and your family were my very first thought this morning when I woke. I will continue to hold you all up in prayer today, as I know it is just an unbearably hard day. Praying for peace and strength for you and Tim and Margaret, and that you'll feel God's presence in a big way.
love,
Jen G.
Thinking of you, praying for you. God be with you.
Our family will be releasing 13 balloons for Jack at noon today. Happy birthday angel.
Sending love to you, Tim and Margaret today. May God hold you close and that you feel not only his embrace, but all of us embracing you.
Love, Kent
I learned about you and your family through Momastery, coincidentally about the same time I learned about another family who suffered the loss of their child. I can't begin to imagine such sadness but I know when I am going through something, I find comfort in others who share my experience. I thought maybe you do too? So just wanted to share this family's blog with you, particularly so because of the family's last name.
http://byrdhouse-byrdsnest.blogspot.com/
You are in my prayers.
No words.
I saw a butterfly in the clouds and I thought, how perfect! Thinking of you and praying for you and your family...
Super awesome!
Thinking about you and praying for you today ... I'm sure this must be a very emotional day. Big hugs to you.
Thinking of you and your family today. Happy Birthday to your beautiful boy Jack!!
Thinking of and praying for you...
Happy Birthday to Jack...
Hope you feel his and His presence today.
Lisa G.
Please God, take extra care of them today.
Have sent that prayer up so many times over the course of the day. I hope that He and Jack have wrapped you all in so much love today.
I have not read your blog as of yet (but now I will) as this link was posted on FB and I clicked it ;) Without knowing your story, I knew exactly what it is (clouds). I have chills!
Anna, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you and Jack. Please know that while your boy may not be with you he will never be forgotten. And, he DID NOT die in vain. I've learned a valuable lesson from you and Jack's story -- and my boys are safer from that danger because of it.
MUCH MUCH love to you and many positive thoughts coming your way.
I have prayed for you and your family many times since September, and lift you up to God again today. Your writing has touched my life in incredible ways. I hope you can feel all of our love for you, Tim, and Margaret, on this day and always. May you know God's Deep Peace and Amazing Grace. Happy Birthday, beautiful Jack.
I just found your blog when a facebook post from Glennon Meltons Momastery blog caught my eye. I just read your families story and it hurts my heart for anyone to lose a child. I am sitting here not knowing what to do or say, but I felt I had to reach out to you in some small way.
Praying for you today, thinking of you, and loving your family from Michigan!
I have faith that our God met you right where you are today. He is just enough to get you through it.
Happy Birthday, dear Jack.
Love seeing these photos...I see an angel there. Wishing and hoping you had a peaceful day today while remembering Jack on his birthday. Take care Anna.
Happy Birthday Jack! You turn another year older today, and I'm afraid your poor mother, father and sister have aged many more than that. We are loving them along with you, and praying that they feel your presence today.
Happy Birthday to your sweet boy. You've been on my mind all day.
Oh Anna. I can't even start typing without welling up in tears. I ache for you so. I want you to know that you are surrounded with love - around this country, and this world... we've had a morning dove outside our apartment window this week - waking me every day. One day it was even sitting on the ledge of our window and took off when I opened the blind to see where it was. I'm rambling. Just wanted you to know you've been on my mind every day... and especially today. Peace to you, Tim and Margaret today. Happy Birthday Jack!!
Happy Birthday, Dear Jack. What a gift you are to so many. Sending extra special prayers for your sweet family today - and hoping they have felt your presence on what must be an especially difficult day.
Happy birthday, dear, sweet, beautiful Jack. You've been in my thoughts all day.
Much love to you and your family, Anna. From my heart to yours, I wish you peace and comfort now and always.
Thinking of you, your family and Jack on this special day.
AHHHH. I love all these beautiful signs, but these signs can't bring your baby back. I wish I could fly you up there for one last kiss.
I heard today is Jack's birthday. I've been thinking of (and praying for!) you, Tim, and Margaret all day.
As I read the post, I asked my 4 year old what he saw. He said there is a bird and a boy playing with the angels. As I hugged him he told me the angels were hugging the boy too. I hope your day was filled with hugs and beautiful sightings.
Someone said it earlier, what I see: a Jack Bird! Jack is so incredible, with God's help. I also do see part of a face on the right side, almost as though he is looking at the Jack bird he is making for us all. Thank you for all you do, Anna.
Anna,
I pray for you often. I am on my knees a lot these days, taking my cues from Jack. I usually rely on scripture for encouragement, but today I noticed a quote from one of my fave movies, "The Shawshank Redemption", and I thought I'd share. Red - I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't wanna know. Some things are best left unsaid. I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful it can't be expressed in words, and it makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you those voices soared, higher and farther than anybody in a grey place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made these walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free.
Hope you know that your courage and Jack's faith are inspiring me every day. Love you,
Anne (Hinders) Fortier
The bird clouds are absolutely amazing. I have never seen anything like them before and I'm a cloud watcher.
OK, I'm sitting in a crowded Starbucks, choking back tears over your most recent birthday posts, but especially over the Jack Cloud. God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He? Simply amazing. Bless you all.
of course. of course.
Well, you wont believe this...or maybe you will! I tried emailing you the picture I want to tell you about but I dont think I sent it properly. Maybe somebody in blogland can help get the picture to you?? My dad passed away two weeks ago. I am so heartbroken, and went to buy a book on angels, because there was a chapter in it about heaven and my dad loved angels. Billy Graham's book, Angels.....Turn to page 29. Its Chapter 3 ... the picture is A-maz-ing. Am I crazy or does this picture look exactly like the second to last picture of the clouds? I see an angel. Take good care of yourself. I check in on your blog regularly. Im sad and going thru my own grief now. :( Its hard.
When I first saw this shortly after you posted it, I saw a butterfly in the clouds, although I didn't post a comment. Then the other day, I stumbled upon the perfect quote to explain why a butterfly. "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly."
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