The Yellow Jersey
On Tuesday, September 17th, I had the privilege of giving a talk to a book group. Whenever I do a talk, I try not to spend time worrying about what to say. I am fully aware that I can only present what I believe to be true and hope that it inspires conversation.
I was incredibly fortunate that this group not only listened attentively but also became very engaged in sharing their own stories about signs from their loved one who have passed. The stories were remarkable and some were shared in that group for the first time.
If you have read my previous article, “What’s Your Sign?” you know how deeply I believe that even though we physically lose people we love they are never far from us and in fact find ways of communicating to us that they are always around to guide and support us.
Throughout the ensuing two hour discussion some chose to share amazing stories about how their loved ones found ways of connecting with them. There was one woman who lost a sister at the age of 38. Soon after her sister’s passing, she began seeing cardinals. These beautiful red birds made their presence known to her over and over sometimes to the point of endless squawking. She volunteered that throughout her life, whenever she was going through a difficult period, a cardinal would always find its way to her no matter what time of year or where she was. She knew in her heart, it was her sister reminding her she was not alone.
There were many more wonderful stories and I contributed one that was recently told to me.
My very dear friend Robert (he gave me permission to use his name), is an avid cyclist and has spent the past many years participating in long distance bike races in order to raise money for cancer research. For the past few years, he has also helped raise money for a Cancer Survivorship fund which is named for a beautiful young woman and dear friend of his who passed in 2009.
His friend Meg, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was 23 years old. She battled this disease for the next three years and at the age of 26, she was cancer free. In 2004 at the age of 31, she participated in a leg of a long distance bike race which began in San Diego and ended in Washington DC. It was she who inspired Robert to use his love of cycling to raise much needs funds.
Meg passed in 2009 from complications due to a severe lung infection. A year after her death, her husband and Robert joined forces to help build teams which participated in various racing events to raise money for the cancer survivorship fund created in her name.
In early September, Robert participated in a 206 mile race from Logan Utah to Jackson Hole Wyoming known as the LOTOJA, an exhausting but rewarding event. At the end of the almost 12 hour race, he and three friends were in a local restaurant in Jackson Hole about to have a celebratory dinner. While waiting for their table, they noticed a couple walk in. They did not know this couple nor did the couple have anything to do with the race. What caught Robert’s eye was the woman had on the same cycling jersey which was worn by the racers who participated in the 2004 race.
Robert was completely dumbstruck. In relaying the story to me he said “I almost choked. I couldn’t even begin to imagine where she got it.” With encouragement from his friends, he approached the couple and introduced himself. He asked the woman how she came to have that particular jersey. As far as he knew, there were only a few made at the time (2004). The woman explained that she happened to find it in a bike shop a few weeks earlier and liked the color (bright yellow). Since buying it, she had not worn it but for some reason she felt compelled to wear it that evening. Robert told me he could barely speak and began tearing up while he explained to the couple the significance of the jersey especially on this particular evening.
After he finished I couldn’t help but smile. I told him that I knew in my heart it was Meg’s way of letting him know she is around and acknowledging all that he is doing for the fund named for her.
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