Some of you may be aware that we lost both of our fur babies in 2016. Macca (our dog) and Vera (our rabbit) were more than pets to Paul and me. Going through the grieving process for both of them was humbling, life altering, and painful (watch for a Working with Grief blog, coming soon).
Macca and Vera have been our babies since we adopted them in 2004. They both had unique personalities, likes (and dislikes) and beautiful souls. I swear I could *hear* their thoughts when I was being irritating, overburdening, or too affectionate.
In June of 2017 we took our first big trip after having lost them both. It was difficult for me to leave home set out on our journey. When we had Macca and Vera I had anxiety about leaving them. What if something happened when we were gone? How would we get home fast enough? Did we leave detailed instructions? All these “what-ifs” abated as soon as we were a few hours from home (with the help of constant texts from Auntie Jenna). However, since losing them both, it was almost worse to leave. No one waiting for us at home. No one to text Auntie Jenna about. No photos to look forward to of Macca messing up the bed and Vera sitting in her pile of hay. With great pain in my heart, we left for Canada.
My husband is kind enough to do all the driving on our trips, which gives me lots of time to look at the scenery, which I LOVE. I also have ample opportunity to think. Some of my best thoughts occur to me in the silence of the car, watching trees and houses go by. A few hours into our trip, dusk was falling. The sky was turning a perfect shade of blue and the moon was coming into view. I could see it peeking in and out of the clouds the further North we traveled. My thoughts were on Vera and what a unique and wonderful rabbit she was. I was missing her company significantly.
All of a sudden, I looked up at the sky and, imagine my awe, when I saw the perfect silhouette of a rabbit sitting in a hand. The image was created by the moon shining through some clouds. It was astonishing. I could hardly think, let alone speak. Eventually I found my voice and told Paul – who was equally amazed – about seeing a rabbit in the sky. I burst into tears. My baby was up there. She was telling me she was happy and missing me, as well. It was a beautiful affirmation from the Universe – Vera is happy, she is well, you will see her again. I look forward to that day.
This story makes me cry every time I retell it, it touches me so deeply. The Universe cares for us and wants us to be happy. Therefore, it tries to give us what we want. What I had wanted was my rabbit. Since I couldn’t have her in the physical sense, the Universe did the next best thing by sending me a message: the image of a rabbit in the sky.
I miss you every day, Vera. Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge…