I Hear You

 #SIGNS:

Crazy thing, I was in Penn  station just now and ended up buying a special hat with a cardinal on it for my brother David. The lady who sold it to me asked what the Cardinal meant to me. HA - little did she know what she asked 🤣. I kept it brief, but it was def all about my Mary.  Then I decided to treat myself to a red mango frozen yogurt to celebrate my Monday being my Friday 🤸.  I felt like I'd found a gem in that hat store and felt happy.  Moments later I saw I got a text from Mary's husband with pictures of my nephew Brett with his girlfriend Brenda on Christmas day.  My heart filled with love.  Then....  I hear my name, "Jeni"... "Jeni"... "Jeni"!  It sounded exactly like Mary's very distinctive high pitched voice.  I was looking everywhere, it sounded far away but close at the same time.   By the 3rd "Jeni" I saw where I thought it was coming from....... but it stopped.  It was crazy -I got goose bumps all over - I felt her presence I swear I did.  

Angels in the Least Expected Places

Angels are Among Us!

I saw the sweetest thing last week in a restaurant I was in.   The cutest older couple I've ever seen in line holding hands  they must have been in their 90's, I saw the husband was wearing a WWII hat and instantly had a love and respect for this couple.  As I was I was leaving I saw the pretty little lady with her head bowed down praying and then did the end of prayer "father, son, holy ghost" gesture and opened her eyes with a smile.  You don't see that these days.  This couple warmed my heart.  I actually thought about them a few times throughout the  week and when I did, it brought a smile to my face and a feeling of comfort came over me. 

Anyways....today I went to the same restaurant and couldn't believe it when I saw this same couple two people in front of me again, just like last week.  They sat at their same table.  This time I walked up to the lady and told her how I saw them last week and was so touched to see her pray before her meal.  She told me that sometimes that's all we have - our faith and hope.  I told her I agreed and that I hope to see them again.  I went back to my spot to wait for my meal to go and in about 5 minutes I felt her hand on my arm and she said to come quickly, she had a table for me in this busy restaurant.  She was so sweet.  The restaurant worker was calling my name for my order just then so I told her I'd be right there.  

I had to tell her my order was to go and my husband was waiting in the car for me but thanked her for thinking of me.   She asked my name and after I told her, I asked hers...... Tears formed and my heart skipped a beat when she told me her name was Mary! 👼❣️

I told her that was a very special name to me and that my sister Mary was in heaven.  The kind little lady touched my arm again and said that my sister wants me to know that she is with me.

I truly am blessed!

Former Student of Mary's

It is so special when I receive kind memories of Mary.  They are little blessings.  I received a little blessing today in the form of an email and want to share it here on my Mary blog, where it belongs, in my treasure chest of  my Mary's "Memories to Cherish".  Thank you John A for taking the time to let us all know what a gift Mary's presence was to you.  She made a difference to so many and she didn't even know it.  Well,  I believe she knows it now.

This is an email from someone who Mary had taught years ago when she was a teacher:

FORMER STUDENT OF MARY'S

To repeat the title of my email, I'm a student of Mary's who hasn't had the chance to speak with her since my freshman year of high school back in 2001/2002.

I wanted to reach out to her to let her know that I took her lessons to heart, and that I never settled down with the wrong type of woman because of the way she taught us. She always preached that you should find a partner who you could realistically spend the rest of your life with, and she was the only adult in my youth who spoke honestly with us about the difficulties of marrying the right or wrong person.

I was unaware of her passing until I tried to find her decades later, and because I see now that I can't thank her in person for being a hugely positive influence on myself, I want to reach out to you and tell you how your sister impacted a generation of young men and taught us how to respect women while still being men.

She was an incredible woman, a huge influence on me during my younger years, and I don't know how to begin expressing my sympathy for the post of your sister. 

I read through the entirety of your blog, and I feel like I learned so much about a woman who I consider to be a true mentor during my early manhood. Thank you so much.

Hospital Love

I had surgery on my foot today - I had a plantar plate tear that wouldn't heal on its own.  

I've had a few surgeries in the last couple years,  and it never fails,  my sweet sister Mary always, ALWAYS appears.  

As soon as we got to the Hospital, a kind receptionist we met helped us with a parking situation. There was no handicap parking for my husband to park the van.  He insisted he drop me off while he went to find a space further away where no'one could park next to him, allowing the wheelchair ramp to open. He called me a few minutes later and said there was no parking anywhere :(.  oh boy!  Well,  the kind receptionist who heard my call told me to have him come park by the entrance and she would watch his van while he waited with me before I went into surgery.  She was so sweet.  She even came out from behind the desk to help with the situation.  It was a kind offer.  Something inside me nudged me to ask her name and my jaw dropped when she said her name was Mary!! 

Greeted and helped by a Mary and one of my pre op nurses was Mary Ann and then one of my post op nurses was Maria (Italian for Mary)!!! 

OH and a little bonus:  after surgery, they offer to give me some snacks and when they brought me these delicious little bag of gluten free ginger snap cookies by a brand named Lucy,  I knew it was my dear friend Nadia's sister Lucy who I adored and loved instantly.  She had passed away a year ago on December 1st.  I felt very connected to her and was so sad when she suddenly died.  I had hoped her and my Mary would find each other.  Looks like they did.  

It was confirming to know I wasn't alone. 🙏👼❌⭕ #LovefromAbove #Angelsamongus

Sister Signs in a time of need

I've been thinking of my Mary lately and I feel like she's been around a  little more too.  She's always been my cheerleader, especially when I need her most. This was one of those times.

Today I received this positive affirmation that spoke to me and I just knew it was meant for me when it appeared in my social media feed:

Then, as I was headed to an appointment, a big cardinal on a truck crossed my path.

But it was this final sign that confirmed it:
As I was in the waiting area for my appointment, a sweet lady came in with her mom and two young daughters,  one was about 4 and the other had some disabilities that required tubes in the nose and she was still in a stroller. Well, the grandma kept the 4 year old busy by playing with her and talking about her different toys she had with her.  I was so entertained and also intrigued.  I couldn't believe how much she resembled Mary as a toddler.  Very distinct features like my Mary.  I smiled a loving smile at them letting them know I enjoyed their company.  Then, the grandma said the toddlers name.... Can you guess what it was?? Yup, Mary! My heart swelled up and I felt a rush of love flow through me.  Then I looked back at them again and caught  the little sister with disabilities staring at me so I blinked, she blinked back. We blinked to each other with smiles a few more times and then they were called to their appointment.  What a treat.  I feel so blessed and had to share it with whoever would like to hear. There is magic out there, there really is, we just have to keep our eyes and our hearts open to see.  Most importantly  #Believe 👼

Celebrating DaD

I love celebrating my dad ♥️ ~ my dad was full of love, wisdom, support, encouragement and  gave the best hugs ever!  

Dear DaD,

I miss you everyday and will love you forever!  

You truly listened to me and I loved it when you told me (so often):. "That's a great idea!"  

Those four words were empowering, they made me feel so special and so smart that my dad thought I had a great idea. Thank you for that!!

I am who I am today because of the power of example you were to me.  Because of you, I love unconditionally, give freely without expecting something in return, enjoy the journey, cherish moments, feel no jealousy or envy, respect myself and live with no judgement.  

Happy Father's Day in Heaven dad!  I'll always be your #1 fan and your little girl!

#FathersDay #Daddyslittlegirl #DadsinHeaven #MydadMyAngel #writetoHeal #neverforgotten #memoriescherished #iamyourlegacy #prouddaughter

Loving Mary Forever

I wrote this poem a while ago but my newest friend Leesah Marie Noon, the owner of the website and FB page "Caring Cardinals" put it together with on e of her pictures here - so beautiful!  

I had to have it printed and framed.

Sam

 Sam 5-31-19

Life really is so delicate and precious.  Every moment should be cherished and love should be given more freely, without a second thought. 

I got some news Wednesday night that shocked my heart and made me cry.  A dear dear friend who I used to work with was diagnosed with  colon cancer and caught it too late.  

I was told he only had a short amount of time left so I had to see him as soon as I could.... That was tonight, in his home with his beautiful family staying so strong, telling me how grateful they were to have him as their dad even if for only this long.  His brother broke my heart as he told me something close to my own heart, he said he was truly losing his best friend.  Yes, I cried.

But my friend Sam was surrounded by so much love it warmed my heart knowing how many lives are better because he was in it...his light will live on in all of us because of the kind loving memories he supplied us with. 

Thank you Sam!  

Oh and as I stepped out of the taxi in front of my friends home, there was a feather of love right at my feet.... Giving me extra stregnth as I could stay strong.   Thank you my angels of love from above for never letting me down. ❤️👼

Mary's Kelsey

HaPpY Birthday beautiful niece Kelsey 🎂🎉🎈❤️🦋 

I'm so proud of the beautiful young lady you have become.  

23 😮.... How did that happen??

Notes from the Universe

 I don't always read these daily notes I receive from the Universe, but I always seem to at poignant times. 

MARY EMMA MCCRAW

On this day 11 years ago...... you left this earth and a piece of my hear broke.  But then you sent this little red bird to comfort me and remind me that all my cries are heard.  You've never left my side, I know that now and for that I am grateful and will continue to share your love with the world to spread hope and inspiration in this knowing that there is much more to life when we leave this earth.  

Thank you for being my angel and connected to my soul.

Always and Forever,  Yours truly ~ xoxo

 

Caring Cardinals - Leesah Marie

On August 4th, 2018, Mary sent me the sweetest Birthday gift.  She connected me to beautiful soul,  Leesah Marie Noon.   

Leesah started a website and a facebook page called Caring Cardinals.  

One of my Little Red Bird fans sent me a personal message with a link to her page.   I reached out to say Hi and we have been non stop connected since.   She is definitely a soul sister.   So funny and synchronistic how I was supposed to be Lisa Marie but my dad changed it to Jennifer Marie before we left the hospital.  I changed my name to Jeni as Leesah changed her name from Lisa to Leesah.  We are twinkies.... she is so fun and funny.  She's showered me with gifts from her Caring Cardinals collection.  I am so blessed.   She loves Mary and everything about us.   She even used Mary's name on her website as an example of one of her cards.   We haven't met yet, but hopefully soon.   

Thank you Mary for bringing me Leesah!

Caring Cardinals

March is Mary month, as she left us to go to heaven in March 2008.   Mary starts showing her presence to me in the most special ways in the poignant months of the year and March is one of them.  This year she is sending a bunny rabbit.  Each morning for the past week I open my front door to a random lil bunny in the middle of my yard.  Thank you sis for forever being by my side, sending me signs and connecting me to wonderful souls.  Most recently,  Leesah Marie Noon, the author and creator of www.caringcardinals.com.

I am so grateful for her signs, they bring comfort in what could be sad times.