I firmly believe those who have gone before us having the ability to send us signs. Joe has sent me more than a few since he passed away last September. I love receiving messages from him in the form of a seashell in an unusual place, glitter from 20 years ago, or an extra snuggle from one of the dogs because their daddy whispered to them that I needed it.

And yet, every time it happens it takes me by such surprise, and I’m flooded with emotion.

I listen to music ALL THE TIME. I’ve said it before. Music was a very important part of who we were as a couple. It’s always playing through my Bluetooth speaker at work, in the car, in the backyard on Joe’s mid-nineties stereo receiver wired into the bar, even in the shower just like he used to do.

Today YouTube was the instrument of delivery, and this song was the gift.

As I was listening to this beautiful song and crying my eyes out, I was so overwhelmed with the message. Just like the dream he came to me in, he’s telling me he’s okay.

Through my tears, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out who the singer was in the video. He looked so familiar, but I couldn’t place him. And then I realized, this was Charles Esten, better known as Deacon Claiborne, from the hit TV series Nashville. Joe and I binged watched that show last winter and loved every episode. We were suckers for any television show or movie that had great music in it.

Somehow, my Joe found a way to get me to hear THIS song today during my lunch hour. Less than 20 minutes after I posted on his Facebook page how much I missed him.

If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is.

Does your loved one send you signs from somewhere in the sunshine?