Purpose

So what's the purpose of these signs? To make us feel better? To let us know there's life after death? I don't know. I know a sign makes me feel better. But they've become so common now that they don't have the same significance. They are significant and I recognize that, but I wait for the "next level."

My grandfather passed away one week ago today. His name was Dale. He was old when he passed, but he wasn't sick. He just...died. He ate lunch with his friends, played dominoes for a couple of hours, and he went back to his apartment to make supper for the evening. He got into his wheelchair and wheeled into the bathroom. And that's where he died. So fast that he didn't even have time to press the "help" button around his neck. I like to think that's a good way to die. Fast, unexpected, and clean. Accidents scare me because of the goriness. He was lucky.

I visited my cousin's grave site when I went back home. He died seven years ago and was the same age as me. He has said hello to me a few times. His sign is simply the song "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll." His brother, sister, and I sang this song at one of those kooky recording studios at an amusement park many, many years ago. Whenever I hear this song, I think of him. That's it. I don't have any other memories that remind me of him. This was the first song that played on the radio the morning right before we went to Grandpa's funeral. And it played on the radio on the way home from Grandpa's burial. It's odd because we didn't even have on the oldies station. But I've come to almost expect this type of thing. I smile.

Hello

Francesca says hello every now and then. How does she do it? Various ways. Today her Cold Play song came on the radio, and I was reading an excerpt from my book about a man named Franklin (and he's not one of the characters). I thought that was pretty neat. I'll have to go back and read my previous posts to see if I've recorded everything. There's been a few very unique hello's, and I can't remember if I posted them or not.

About two years ago I went out with a few friends to a bar for a girls night. When we arrived at the bar, there were very few people around. I sat at the bar with one of my friends and had a drink. After about 10 minutes, a woman about 25 years old came up behind me and started to order a drink. She had blonde hair and blue eyes. As soon as I turned around, she said, "Oh, my God! It's you! I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been?" She gave me an exurberant hug. I looked at her but could not place how she knew me. I didn't know her. But I was polite and just went along with it. I figured she might be one of my clients or maybe someone that works for one of my clients. Who knows! We had a bit of small chat, but nothing she said triggered my memory. I remember everyone I meet; my mind is photographic. I figured she must be drunk, so I let it go.

After a couple of hours we decided to go, and we all walked outside and towards our cab. One of our friends remained at the front door talking to someone. We waited for about ten minutes, and then I decided to go help her out. We needed to go! As I approached I realized my friend was talking to the same woman that said hello to me earlier. She was distraught and had been crying. We were trying to help her find her friend, or a ride, or whatever else she needed. I asked her her name, and she said Frankie. I thought that was odd. I've never met anyone named Frankie besides my daughter. I asked her if that was short for something, and she said yes, Francesca. I was floored. Last, I asked her how she spelled it, and she spelled it the same way I spelled my daughter's name.

I didn't put it all together until a couple of days later. How odd! It gives me the chills when I think about it now. Was it her? I think so.

I want everyone to know I don't obsess about Francesca. She simply opened my eyes to another dimension. Before we had her I couldn't tell you whether or not I believe in God or life after death. Now I know we never die and exist forever in another form. She opened my eyes to another world, and it comforts yet intrigues me. Amazingly, she has brought me more peace than I've ever known. Two years ago I couldn't imagine going on with life even remotely at the same happiness level I had before her. Now Adam and I are happier than we've ever been. I certainly wouldn't recommend our path to enlightenment, but I suppose most people have to go through trials in order to grow. Now the question is - what next?