As an answer to her request, departed Marcus makes his presence known to Karen on Valentine’s Day, when he shows up in a most unexpected way.

Karen writes:
“Lately, I have been really missing Marcus, and the signs he sometimes sends to reassure me that he is around. I have found myself looking for the typical signs he has sent in the past; like license plates, heart clouds, a feather, pennies, etc. But although I have been searching for them- I know that signs don’t always happen on demand.”

“Well, it was Valentine’s Day. Marcus always spoiled me on that day. He sent flowers, chocolates, cards and lots of thoughtful romantic stuff. It has been over three years since his passing, and I was especially sad without him here. I even got him a Valentine’s card a few days earlier, and wrote to him. I read the card to him a few nights before Valentine’s Day, and had been looking at his picture- something that I had not done in quite a while.”

“I talked to him in my mind almost my entire drive to work. I let him know that I missed him and asked for a sign. I also understood, and even told him, that I knew his sign would happen when I least expected it. I knew it wouldn’t be one of the typical signs that I had become more accustomed to but something that would surprise me. Somehow, I just knew.”

“I work at a college, and earlier in the week, I was sent an invitation to donate to the educational scholarship for students. I always love to help out in ways that I can, and I signed up to make a small monthly donation. Because of this, I was invited to the scholarship brunch on Valentine’s day.”

“I debated whether I would attend, and even that day, I was going back and forth in my mind. I had almost talked myself out of going. I was not hungry, and didn’t feel like socializing. However, at the last minute, I decided to go.”

Thank you note from Marcus

“I had a chance to talk to some students, and ended up just taking my breakfast burrito to go. On my way out, there were students handing out Valentine’s candy bars and scholarship postcards. I did not think much about it. But when I pulled out the post card, I noticed it was a personal handwritten card from a student. I was totally blown away! The student wrote, “Thank you for your generous donation… and was signed by someone named MARCUS.”

“I could not believe my eyes! I had to run back to the room and ask about the post cards. There, in front of my eyes were literally hundreds of postcards, hand written by all different students- with all different messages. I could not believe the coincidence and literally burst into tears of joy. Marcus had given me a sign alright- and I could almost feel his laugh and delight in my utter surprise.”

Another thing- Traditionally, I make a donation in Marcus’s name every year for the holidays- so the note thanking me for my donation, took on an even deeper level of meaning.

Commentary- Although our departed loved ones don’t always give us a sign when we ask for one, occasionally they will. I don’t completely understand all the why’s and why not’s for this, especially if we think we have a really good case, but it is certainly not because they no longer love and care for us. It’s certainly not because they are unaware of us and what is happening in our lives. It’s not because a Supreme Being forbids it. And… it’s definitely not to punish us in some way. Our departed loved ones love us more than ever now.

I suspect it has more to do with things like- the timing of a good connection, being in a good frame of mind, their and our ability to send and receive signs or after-death communications, and our beliefs and perceptions- along with the everyday choices that we make that cause us to either catch or miss them.

Since we are here on this Earth, it could also be to give us the full human experience of both life and death; thereby giving us an opportunity for our soul’s growth. I know, in my efforts for signs and after-death communications, this has been my experience. I think the most important thing when asking for a sign is to do it with grace and patience. 

From where we stand in our progression, we can’t possibly see the big picture of it or how we will develop. Although we have good ideas about it as humans, perhaps our souls know better. To approach what we can’t begin to understand with expectation, manipulation or as a demand of what we want, is neither graceful nor patient. Karen’s preparation for a sign was almost a sacrament to him. Very graceful. It would seem that this honorable approach is healthy and leads to more positive frame of mind, whether it is followed by a sign/after-death communication or not. Because sometimes we don’t get them.

A sign to ask

I say, ask the heavens for what you want or need, then trust the heavens to deliver according to a greater wisdom. This kind of childlike faith and trust makes it easy to be patient and have the grace that so beautifully leaves us in a peaceful place. If you ask for a sign and it doesn’t happen, there is no need to jump to a negative meaning. Just walk with the faith that grace and patient offers and you will find a special kind of peace and comfort, regardless of relying on a particular outcome. I have found that more signs and after-death communications occur when approached in this way. And, just like Karen, it comes as such a delightful surprise when it does.

After getting Marcus a Valentine’s Day card, writing in it, reading him the contents, looking at his picture, talking to him in her car all the way to work, I’m glad Karen decided to go to the Valentine’s Day brunch. It was that last minute decision that made Marcus’s sign/after-death communication even possible. Had she gone with all her excuses, she would have not gone to the brunch and completely missed the card, the message, the unexpected surprise and the burrito!

On Valentine’s Day, departed Marcus sent his beloved Karen, this message. “I’m aware of you, I love you, and I appreciate all you have done, and still continue do in remembrance of me. I remember you, always.” 

You can find more information about After-death communications here.

Love