Rare Bird: Part 1,365,212

Via email and this blog, so many people have shared neat stories about Jack and God. These stories continue to amaze me, lift me up, and convince me that while I miss him more than I could ever imagine, Jack is doing just fine. Some I have shared, and some I have put in my pocket and kept to myself to pull out when I need them the most. Maybe I worry that if I share everything you'll think I'm grasping, unstable, and losing my shit. But then I think, well, maybe some of these happenings aren't just for me, that they can have meaning for others as well.

Remember the blog reader who snapped an astounding picture featuring Jack's Bible verse in South Africa? That message surely could impact more than just my little family, right?

What about the comment Luv2Run left about praying for us as she ran on the bike path and having a bird fly right the heck into her? Sounds super scary to me, but she insists it was rather cool. I am assuming that having a bird fly into her had to have some sort of... well... impact on her...just as her story did on me.

What about the friend who felt compelled to write a poem about Jack entitled, "Rara Avis" or "Rare Bird," and another friend who had been hearing those very same words in association with Jack almost daily and was given an overwhelming sense of peace about where Jack is?

Others have shared dreams, visions, nudges, songs and other signs that point them toward God, or at the very least to a sense of "there is more, more, more going on here than we ever imagined, and it is more than okay." Coincidences, signs, "God-winks," the work of a very clever soul who knows how to delight-- they just keep coming. Whatever you want to call them, I am grateful for your taking the time to share them with me, and I hope it's beneficial for me to share some with you.

Well, I have another story for you today, sent last night by a reader:

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Hi Anna,

I have been a silent reader of your blog since I was directed from "Motherhood in NYC" to visit in a time when thoughts and prayers were desperately needed. Your writing has kept me coming back to hear more about your wonderful Jack and your family (I also jumped on the Bieber bandwagon and was so happy to hear that Margaret got to see that dream come true!). Anyway, I wanted to a story with you.

My boyfriend and I went up to Door County, WI a couple of weekends ago for a short getaway. Following the advice of our waiter of must-see scenic areas, we wound up driving around a fairly secluded wooded area (Ellison Bluff County Park) and walking around the look out over the lake.

At one point while we were driving, I couldn't help but think of your family and become a little sad, as this setting was similar to pictures you've posted. Right at that moment, something caught my eye... a tree with a bright blue ribbon tied around it; it took a moment to sink in, and then it just made me smile. On our way back from the lookout, I had my boyfriend pull over so I could take a photo, in hopes that sharing this story might be one more small bit of encouragement to your family.

Maybe I'm digging here, but the story continues... I was walking back to the car after taking some pictures of the ribbon/tree when another car that had been stopped a few hundred feet behind us pulled up next to me and rolled down their window "Did you get it?!?! That was incredible!" I had no clue what they were talking about, why on earth would they be as excited about a blue ribbon as I was?

"Get what?" I asked. "The eagle! That's what we were watching, there was an eagle right above you in the tree over there" pointing to a tree about 40 feet from where I had been taking the pictures. I couldn't believe I missed it, what a great photo opportunity that would have been. We all laughed it off that I somehow missed an eagle while I was taking pictures of a tree trunk and I hopped in our car. My boyfriend asked what the couple had said to me, so I told him, and as I was recapping our conversation, it hit me... an eagle! A rare bird indeed.

I have attached a photo of the ribbon on the tree; unfortunately, I missed the eagle so I can't share that :)

I am constantly praying for you and your family. Per your last post, do what you need to do, your silence is just as powerful as your words...
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Wow! I love this. Missing a "rare bird" while taking a picture for me because of my "rare bird."

And, uh, just wait until you see what I've got for you tomorrow, or later today if I just can't wait.