How We Feel His Love

It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since my Father passed from this life on earth. Some people have asked how I'm holding up....and suprisingly, I feel a great deal of comfort. I admit that I still have my brief moments of grief....but for the most part, I still feel my Dad. The only difference is that he isn't here physically. I wanted to share one of the experiences....and I'm sure everyone will have their own opinion or interpretation of it...but for me, it was a personal and comforting experience. When Jason, Emily and I left Forest Lawn on the day of my Dad's funeral, dusk was already setting. By chance I had looked out the window and I caught a glimpse of a white crane flying overhead. I thought I was seeing things...but I knew I saw it. Immediately, I thought about a couple of little statues my parents had- 2 little bronzed statues of cranes that were given to them by my aunt and uncle a long time ago. I forgot where they placed them, because the last time I remembered seeing them was on top of their stereo in the family room. When we arrived at my parents home that evening from the funeral, I discovered/realized that my dad had creatively placed these statues in his beloved garden in their front courtyard.

My Parent's Cranes in the Garden. Pic Taken by Alan Abrio

After the Funeral, it had been a little over a week since I was able to be home and to go to church. That Sunday that followed my Dad's funeral, I was very emotional that day, even more so compared to on the day of his Funeral (when I delivered the Eulogy). I'm not sure why, but I came to reason that I was missing my dad a lot that day. However, the sign of comfort that was brought to me was on the way to church:  Jason and I witnessed ANOTHER white crane...standing alongside the road..... watching us go to church. The crane looked like this:

I thought about it...and maybe it was just a coincidence..... or something unremarkable.....HOWEVER, when you really think about it...How often can you witness a white crane standing near the side of the road? I mean come on......and this was the 2nd time I witnessed a WHITE crane. In all honesty...at least for me....I felt I was more vulnerable that day going to church...and I know that seeing another white crane was just a sign my dad was comforting me. I couldn't wait to google the symbolism of the White Crane and found some interesting interpretations. Most of the interpretations that I had come across were positive ones, but the ones that stood out to me were that the White Crane stood for Peace and Immortality. It is comforting to know that someday we'll meet again, and it's truly not the end of our journey when we pass from this mortal life. Here on this earth we still can feel my dad's love through pictures, videos, memories, and those special coincidences he sends us...However, for me, embracing the knowledge we will meet again someday is the ultimate comfort. It's all Good!