“In heaven an angel is nobody in particular.”
George Bernard Shaw
That’s the quote I posted with this picture on Instagram three years ago.
I’d taken it off the pier in San Clemente and had marveled at its beauty, even though it was a common pigeon. The quote made a lot of sense to me too.
Last night, in a fevered fifteen minutes with Vernon, when he had woken in implacable agitation, he spoke of seeing ‘the Man of Light’ as he had often called Him. Now he could only answer in yes and no, but I got the gist. He had seen Him in the hospital over two weeks ago, before anyone even mentioned he’d run out of earthly options. He had said He was inviting him but he didn’t want to go. Since then, I’ve asked Vernon a few times if he’d seen Jesus again. He always said no, sometimes even angrily—or hurt that I would ask such a question. But last night he said he saw Him again…and though he implied the man of light was beckoning, Vernon still didn’t want to go. He couldn’t let go of life. I know he doesn’t want to leave me or his family. No matter how out of it he is, no matter how painful living has become. I’m trying to find the words to help him let go. There is a lot of reassuring going on.
But my friend Nicole was with me in the room. We both really thought the passage would happen for an intense session there. She told me I should ask him for a sign, something to communicate with me when he’s gone. I’ve had other friends suggest doing the same thing when the time is right. So I grabbed the moment. At least he was awake. I asked for a sign: an animal, a bird?
“Pigeon,” he murmured.
“What about an eagle, a hawk?” (Those are birds that held so much significance for him in his lifetime. And they are so much more powerful. I believe Maki has already connected this symbol with him through a few recent experiences.)
“Pigeon,” he said again.
Nicole urged me to ask more. What color?
“Common.”
Nicole and I started giggling. What a funny concept. A pigeon, of all things! Ok, a pigeon it is.
It’s so Vernon to pull up something so simultaneously odd and ordinary. He always cuts right through, doesn’t he? Even in his last will and testament.
There are lots of messages to be taken from this. You can be assured I’ve already looked up some of them online (Among other things, they represent home and security, as well as determination to get through difficult circumstances. They are also considered to be spirit messengers by many cultures. They are thought to bring love, peace and an understanding of gentleness.) But what I immediately took from it, was that they are common. They are everywhere. If Vernon is going to chose a messenger of his love for me, he’ll chose something I’m bound to see all often, wherever I may go. What a brilliant man. How can I ever forget him?
172
Profound and simply beautiful.
Praying for more angels and The son of light to be beautifully present with Vernon and you! xo
In awe…. Precious ones we all love you so much!
🌈vernon is in all of our hearts, as are you my friend. 💫
❤️
I’m praying that Vernon will find inner peace in Christ Jesus and know that y’all be fine. Begin to thank God for Vernon’s new and renewed life with all the other angels in heaven!
MUCH LOVE!!
Just sending love and a thousand pigeons your way. Vernon has captured our hearts.
I love that you know him so well, Allison!! So sweet that you are still able to communicate with Vernon and understand what he means through his simple words. Your love for each other is deep calling unto deep.
Dear Allison,
So sweet and so common that you would never forget him. How wonderful you and his love for each other. God be with you both.
Becky
another loss for words…..thinking of you with love (someday I’d like to share a story about pigeons on my walks on the pier after Jim passed away)…..<3
really? I’d love to hear it.
one day we’ll have to have coffee & visit… 🙂
Love you both so much xx
Pure sweetness
That’s incredibly awesome! I love today’s post.
Love is infinite, it’s energy in motion that can never be destroyed. Love you all so much.
Allison, l am glad you have asked, you might be surprised, as ok, Vern has choose a pigeon, but a pigeon as you know, always knows the way home. Which is clever in a way. And, you might not see it in the normal places, so then you know its him. I am glad that your friend told you to ask him, as l never asked Andy when he died, and l look for signs every day! But, recently, l have found it in music, as Andy sent me a sign when Vernon went on this new journey about two weeks ago! Vernon is a strong man, and will always be by your side……over the last couple of weeks it just proves how strong he is…
“The man of light” beckoning him to come, wow. How amazing that he could tell you that. It brings peace to me as I also pray for those close to me that will hopefully see Jesus as well when it’s their time to be beckoned home.
And I love the sign of the pigeon. So simple and profound.
You wouldn’t see a swan (or something else considered “beautiful”) as often as you will see common pigeons. However simple and common, they’re beautiful as well. Just amazing.
Just 2 days ago I was inspired to start writing a song called “Fly”. And I haven’t felt inspired to write a new song in a LONG time. Coincidence? Hmmmm…
I will sing it here, in prayer, asking God to help Vernon trust Jesus enough to allow his spirit to fly.
lyrics: “when you gonna fly..when ya gonna try…when you gonna let go..and let yourself fly..”
Oh dear, dear Vernon, whom I only know in pictures and writing, you
have touched all of us with Heavenly beauty. May that Pigeon take you on wings of a Heavenly creature to the place that awaits all of us who love Jesus and wish to go home. Allison, you are an earth angel and no one can say otherwise. Thank you for sharing this journey. I am so overwhelmed with your sharing this with us. You and Vernon make us all want to fly!
Beautiful. Thinking of you all in prayer.