God Is Weaving a Tapestry

Some days I feel like God is smiling at me. This was one of those days.

My four grandkids were visiting. We had planned to go to Upham Beach nearby to let the kids get their wiggles out before bedtime. Naturally, two of them fell asleep in the car. The other two were wide awake. Because I have a problem waking sleeping children, we drove ten minutes further to my favorite beach, in Pass-a-Grille. It was just a minor change in plan. Who knew that this minor change would be a major event for Angel Bumps?

Our beach chairs were lined up, sand toys scattered, and a glass of white wine was in my hand. I settled into my chair and took a deep breath, just breathing in the beauty of the pre-sunset sky. A few seagulls called as they strolled the beach. It was a magnificent sight. These are the moments I think God is truly an artist.

My daughters were dipping their toes in the low surf as the kids began making drip castles. It was one of those moments that I wanted to capture. The playfulness, the dripping sand and the smiles made a million dollar photo. Apparently I was not the only one who thought so. A woman with dark hair approached my daughter. I couldn’t hear the conversation, but they were both animated and laughing. The woman introduced herself as Lisa Dupre. She was a professional artist. She asked if she could take a photo of the kids playing. She thought it was a sweet moment.

My daughter agreed, and they continued to chat as she snapped a few photos. She mentioned that her friend, Mary, was with her. Mary had lost her son just a little over a year ago. She needed some reflection time and came to visit for a week. My daughter mentioned that I had written book called Angel Bumps, Hello From Heaven about signs from people who have passed.

I was watching from afar when the woman stood back like she was shocked. She screamed to her friend, “Her mom wrote Angel Bumps, Hello From Heaven!” The other woman ran to the water’s edge all excited. When I heard Angel Bumps, I rose from my chair and headed toward them. With open arms, I greeted the grieving Mom, not knowing her story.

“I have your book. I bought it at Simply Perfect Gift Store and I’ve been carrying it with me. I even got it wet reading in the pool,” she said. My heart swelled. “Each story is so sweet! I can’t put it down. I carry it everywhere.” I was so touched that it helped her so much. I told her the contributors would be so happy to hear this.

When she told me about her son, I mentioned that there’s a woman in the book whose son passed the same way. They were both in their early twenties. The women live about a half hour apart in PA. They are both very Catholic women and have a strong faith. I know in my heart that they will be connect.

Up until that night, I’d been feeling like I wasn’t doing enough promotions with the book. I felt like God had given me this gift to help people and I wasn’t doing my part. This chance meeting was just what I needed.

Meanwhile, Mary was saying this is just what she needed. She told me her son sends a dragon-fly as his sign. One appears when she talks to him and when she especially misses him. When she wanted to send his future bride a special gift, she asked her son, John, if it was too soon. The dragon-fly arrived and the answer came, “Please send the gift.”

The three of us stood watching the sunset marveling at our chance meeting. God was spinning a tapestry in our lives for a reason.

The next day I wrote this story. I wanted to include the photos that my daughter had taken. I knew they were in my messages. When I went to transfer them, they were gone! I must have deleted them by accident. I was so upset. I immediately called my daughter asking if she still had them. I got her voicemail.

I was so distraught. I had tears in my eyes when I said, “God, I’m putting this in your hands. I don’t know how to reach these women. If it’s meant to be, I trust You to find her for me.” Within a minute, my phone dinged. It was Lisa asking if we could get together for lunch. Some might say that was a co-incidence. I think not.

Mary headed home to PA. Lisa and I met for lunch today. We chatted like old friends. She showed me some of her drawings. Good Lord! The lady has talent. Sometimes she feels like the Holy spirit is directing her pencil. She showed me the piece of art she drew for Mary. She is holding her son up as a young boy, face to face and smiling. Dragon flies are woven into the drawing. She’s a tenderhearted artist who truly captures the love in her subjects.

Below is one of Lisa’s sketches It’s on the book cover of Toward Mutual Recognition by Marie T. Hoffman- Psychoanalysis and the Christian Narrative.” The shadow between the couple is the Holy Spirit.

I know I am a blessed woman. I think every contributor in Angel Bumps is equally blessed. To be able to share our stories to help people who have lost someone is the one of the greatest gifts we can offer.

Yes, God has been weaving a tapestry for quite while now. Our connections and shared love make the world a better place.

We are definitely blessed.