On the fourth anniversary of her son Loren’s passing, Donna shares this special re-release about signs from loved ones who have passed, grief, and the spiritual experiences that have brought her comfort and hope. Through remarkable encounters with eagles after the deaths of her husband, Paul, and son, Loren, Donna reflects on love, connection, and the possibility that those we love remain near to us in ways we may not fully understand. For anyone grieving someone they love, this is a gentle story of finding light in the darkness and remaining open to the signs, moments, and experiences that can bring comfort after loss.
Today, on the fourth anniversary of my son Loren’s passing, I’m sharing this episode of Caregiver Tea Time again.
Have you ever experienced a moment that made you wonder if someone you loved who has passed was still somehow near?
In this episode, I share some of the spiritual experiences that have strengthened my belief that there is a beautiful, loving aspect to life beyond what we can see. There have been times when my life felt very dark and scary, and yet somehow a source of love and light was there.
02:35 — Eagles and my husband, Paul
After Paul’s memorial service, several people asked whether I had seen the eagle soaring overhead as everyone left the building. They wondered if it might be Paul.
Earlier that same morning, an eagle had appeared at the graveside service. As our family stood to leave, it took off in the direction of the building where the memorial service would be held.
Over the years, eagles continued to appear at unexpected and meaningful moments — at our farm, alongside my car as I drove home from church, and even while I was trading in one of our old cars.
04:20 — Two eagles after Loren’s passing
Several years later, shortly after my youngest son Loren passed away, my older son and I were sitting outside at the farm late one afternoon.
In the distance, we saw two eagles.
One landed elegantly in a large tree. The other made a rather less elegant crash landing in the tree beside it!
The moment immediately reminded me of Paul and Loren — and of the way Paul would often stand back and let his children figure things out for themselves.
06:15 — “Now I am seeing what you’ve been talking about all along.”
A few days after Paul died, I was lying quietly before a massage when I felt his presence very strongly.
Paul and I had not shared the same beliefs about the spiritual side of life during our marriage. But in that moment, I felt a message from him:
“Now I am seeing what you’ve been talking about all along!”
I then had a vision of Paul's spirit as a brilliant light shooting into a twilight sky, with the old falling away like dust. I felt that he was going someplace wonderful.
Later, my massage therapist independently told me that when she entered the room, she had sensed a powerful spiritual presence and felt compelled to share a message with me: “I’m sorry.”
08:55 — Finding spiritual support
I conclude Season 3 with information about Spiritual Directors International, an organization that can help you find a spiritual director or spiritual companion.
11:20 — A final thought
It is easy to become wrapped up in caregiving worries, fears, grief, and feeling lost. Sometimes love and light can be very difficult to find.
But when it gets dark and stormy, I encourage you to take a deep breath, reach out your hand, and say, “Help.”
The love and light to show the way is always near.
Cheers!
Caregiver Tea Time — Real support for real caregiving moments.