I really didn’t sleep much last night, as I was tormented by a feisty relentless mouse up in my attic. That’s another story for another day. So, when I woke up at 7:30, I intended on going back to sleep. But no! I knew it was only going to get hotter and hotter outside by the minute, so I got up and went for my morning walk. I love my walks.
As usual, the dragonflies were in their spot over by the pond, and they hovered around me to say good morning. There was a slight breeze and it was beautiful out. As I walked along, I saw a shape in the sidewalk that looked like a heart. I took out my phone and took a picture. I like to call it “Following my heart.” Of course, my eyes kept finding more and more heart shapes here and there. I continued to snap pictures.
It’s funny how piles of dirt or clumps of mud can look like a heart shape.Holes in the sidewalk or shadowy indentations.Even the stone wall over by Mr. Mike’s old house resembled hearts. I’ll admit, the heart with dried up leaves on the right was manipulated a tad. Even Mother Nature needs a helping hand now and then.
People don’t always see the beauty or the signs in common every day objects. But, if you appreciate life and nature and the beauty in all things, great and small, there are endless signs. Always follow your heart. ❤️
“Spring is the fountain of love for thirsty winter” ― Munia Khan
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I’ve got this thing about lucky pennies and signs. Here’s my little story. Yesterday, I was heading out for an afternoon walk. I headed across the street to the park when I stopped, turned around and thought, “ I should walk over towards Mr. Larry and Miss Sandy’s house. They live about four blocks away, and I haven’t seen them in months. They usually sit out in their garage from 4-5pm, I walk past and open their garage fridge, grab a beer, and catch up on the neighborhood gossip.
I rounded the last corner and could see down the street, but the garage was closed. I grabbed my cell phone and started dialing their number. I looked down and saw a lucky penny a few houses away. Hmmm? A sign? I smiled.
“Hello, Miss Sandy. The garage is closed. What’s going on?” I joked. Miss Sandy proceeded to tell me, in a raspy voice, that she has been in and out of the hospital and Mr. Larry has stage four lung cancer. (Oh no!) I asked if there was anything I could do.
Miss Sandy said, “What are you doing tomorrow?” I told her I was free all day, and asked how I could help. She needed a ride home from the hospital the next morning. I was happy to offer a ride. The garage door opened and Miss Sandy strolled out and we sat in our designated chairs. I heard about all the health problems, hospitalizations, and doctor’s appointments.
A few minutes later, Mr. Larry walked out and sat in his waiting chair. He had lost a lot of weight and was coughing. We did some catching up on neighborhood gossip and the usual pleasantries and unpleasantries.
Mr. Larry had a doctor’s appointment around the same time Miss Sandy would need a ride home from the hospital after outpatient surgery. He dropped her off at 6:30 this morning, and I picked her up around 10. I was able to sit with her in the recovery room for a while until she was discharged.
I realized that my lucky penny was a sign that I was meant to walk that way yesterday. I always say, “Sometimes God sends you an angel when you need one, and sometimes He sends you to be an angel for someone in need.”
Yep!
It was such a beautiful sunny Spring day that I took two walks today. I put in over 4 miles and enjoyed every minute, with a few stops at the welcoming bench by the pond. The sunset was calm and the evening moon was inspiring.
Now, for my favorite part of Friday night…Black Russian Friday. Cheers!
Three years ago today, a beautiful memory and miracle worth repeating. I was in Chicago with my family, making arrangement and preparing for the memorial service for my sweet angel mother. This miracle from Mom needs to be shared again.
AS ONLY ANGELS CAN
If you don’t believe in angels
I’m here to say it’s true
There are angels up in heaven
They’re watching over you,
So, I asked my angel mother
I whispered in her ear
When you get up there in heaven
Please show us you are near.
If only you could send a sign
As only angels can
We will know you’re safe in heaven
And that you have a plan.
To watch and guard us every day
You’ll guide us from above
So, you left two lucky pennies
Beneath your painting, signed with love.
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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This is a true story of faith and love and angels. As my sweet mother grew weaker and less alert, my sister and I would talk to her and sing to her. I prayed the rosary out loud to comfort Mom during her final days in hospice. One of the last things I whispered in her ear was, “Please Mom, when you get up to heaven, could you show us a sign that you’re OK, that there really is a heaven? I know if anyone could do it, you could. I know you’ll always be my guardian angel.”
We’ve done a lot of crying since Mom passed away last week, but today, the crying was a celebration. Mom left us a sign. Those of you who know me, you already know that I believe in lucky pennies. They always appear out of nowhere when I need them most. I always look up to heaven and say, “Thank you.”
This afternoon, my sister and I went out for some lunch. We’ve spent days and days sorting and reminiscing and making arrangements and crying, It’s been a whirlwind, so it was good to get out of the house for a little while. My sister said, “Let’s go to the library so I can vote. They have early voting, and we can return Mom’s audio-books.”
Well, early voting hadn’t started yet, so we just returned the books and got a bit teary-eyed, because Mom loved the library and all the people. She had donated her very large “Cinco de Mayo” painting to the library several years ago. It takes up an entire wall on the second floor. When I asked my sister if she needed any books or videos while we were there, she said, “Not really, let’s just go home.” Then I said, “Should we go upstairs and see Mom’s mural before we go?” Of course, we needed to do that.
The elevator opened and we walked ever so slowly towards the mural.
There on the bench, right beneath her painting, were two lucky pennies from heaven. We both burst into tears as I blurted out, “Here’s our sign. I asked Mom to send us a sign. Here it is! Two pennies, not just one. What are the chances that they would be here waiting for us today, right beneath her painting?”
I hadn’t told my sister the story about asking Mom to send us a sign right before she passed away, until that moment. If she didn’t believe in angels before, I’m pretty sure she does now. We both knew Mom was an angel here on earth, but now, we both know that she’s up in heaven. She gave us a sign.
Thanks Mom.
So, for today’s Gospel according to Mark… Jesus was in the dessert for 40 days, tested by Satan. He was with wild beast, attended by angels. After John’s arrest, Jesus appears in Galilee, proclaiming The Good News, the reign of God is at hand.
My take on it… there will always be temptations by Satan, but if we remain faithful and strong, we will be honoring God and the Good News. We will be attended by angels.
I feel fortunate to be guided by angels here on earth, right now. Amen
Happy Sunday, my friends. I hope you believe in Angels too.
“You’re just a prayer away from a change of heart.”
~ Henry R. Brandt
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This is another quick story (oops, not so quick after all) about how someone up in heaven sends me a sign. Sometimes I say, “God, you don’t have to hit me over the head.” But, sometimes He does, just the same, just to make His point.
About six years ago, I was walking into church on a dreary Sunday morning. I hadn’t slept much, and I was in a pretty dark place after going through a very devastating divorce. My heart was broken and I was in pain, inside and out. I wasn’t angry, but really, really hurt, with NO forgiveness in my heart. (I still can’t forgive some things, but that’s OK. Some things are unforgivable.)
I knelt down, made the sign of the cross and closed my eyes. My normal prayer was always just repeating, “Thank You for Your blessings.” I would repeat that over and over, wipe away a few tears and sit down, waiting for Mass to start.
This particular day, I knelt with eyes closed tightly to hold back the tears. That day, for some reason, I changed my prayer to “God, please, please, CHANGE MY HEART. Let me find some peace.” The organ started playing and the choir started to sing. Everyone stood up with song sheets in hand and began to sing… “Change Our Hearts This Time.”
Well, I couldn’t hold back the tears. Happy tears. I said to myself, “Well, if you’re waiting for a sign, this is it.” A song just for me, right when I needed it, right when I asked for it. “Ask and you shall receive.”
Guess what my favorite hymn is? Yep, “Change Our Hearts.” My heart is in a much better place now.
“Here’s the thing about luck…you don’t know if it’s good or bad until you have some perspective.”
― Alice Hoffman
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I truly believe luck is in the eye of the beholder. If you tell yourself that you are unlucky, well, then you are. You just said so. It’s your personal perception. Some people don’t believe in lucky pennies or lucky feathers, or signs, but I absolutely believe. They always seem show up when I need them, or just for a quick pat on the back.
When I was in California last month visiting my son Matt, we were walking towards the beach under the huge palm trees. He stopped me and pointed towards the ground. Barely visible in the tall grass were two pennies and a dime. He knows my thoughts about finding lucky pennies, but he really doesn’t believe. I was excited because he found the coins. I didn’t see them. They were meant for him, and I told him so. He just rolled his eyes. But who knows, maybe one day he’ll believe too.
Friday morning, I had a million things to do, but I met my friend Sherri on the Square to sign and witness some legal papers for her. We stopped for a little breakfast at The Red Canoe. I thought, life is too short, slow down, just enjoy the day. Afterwards, I stopped at WinCo to pick up last minute beer and wine and snacks and ice for my party, my 5 year anniversary in my new house and my new life. I pushed the heavy cart through the parking lot to the back of my car, thinking about all the things I needed to get done. I opened up the hatchback, and there right beneath my shopping cart…. two shiny pennies. Someone in heaven saying, “Relax. Have a great party. I’m so proud of you.”
Then Saturday, a few friends and I went to the Cotton Mill for ArtFest. It was a great art show with a lot of good friends displaying their wonderful art. When we walked back to the car, off to the side, sitting on top of the leafy ground cover, was a lucky feather. Another sign? Words of encouragement? I just smiled. Just the fact that such things can make me smile, well, isn’t that pretty lucky? I BELIEVE.
“Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.”
~Janine di Giovanni
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A beautiful sunny Easter morning here in North Texas. Our regular 9 am Mass started at 8:30 in the new sanctuary and an 8:40 in the old sanctuary. I was greeting this morning, so I arrived at 7:30 and the parking lot was already getting full. By 8:15, we were told to steer people over to the old church for the next Mass at 8:40. It was wonderful to see all the bright happy faces and the children all smiling in their new outfits. There were many hugs with old friends and greetings with new faces.
Today’s Gospel and Sermon, of course, was about the resurrection. It was discovered that the tomb where Jesus was buried was empty…
“Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.”
I hadn’t heard, or maybe had forgotten the symbolism of the napkin not lying with the scattered clothing. The napkin was rolled up or neatly folded by itself, symbolizing the tradition of the master folding his napkin neatly if he left during a meal to let his servants know that he would return and not to take away his dishes. If the napkin was just tossed or crumpled on the table, then he was finished and not returning. The place could be cleared. When the tomb was opened and Jesus was gone, the napkin that was on his head was rolled up neatly, signifying He would return. And…He did!
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My take on it, well, there are other views and thoughts about the resurrection and heaven and life after death. Some people believe in a life after this one, and others don’t. Personally, I believe, and I believe in heaven. I believe in symbolism and signs.
When my sweet angel mother was in her final hours, I whispered in her ear, “WHEN you get up to heaven, send us a sign. If anyone can do it, you can.” She did. Some of you know the story of the two lucky pennies my sister and I found found on the bench beneath her mural at the library. She knew that lucky pennies were my sign. When we went up to see the mural she had painted and donated to the Elgin library many years ago, two pennies were sitting there. I know there is a heaven and she’s in heaven. Mom said so.
Easter is a time for renewal, rebirth, and second chances. Happy Easter my friends.
“When the universe sends you a sign and places it right at your feet, pick it up, read it, and live it.”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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She made broken look beautiful
and strong look invincible.
She walked with the Universe
on her shoulders and made it
look like a pair of wings.”
― Ariana Dancu
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I walked in the murky misty morning. It was cold, but I wore three layers, and hat and gloves kept me comfortable. I might have just stayed in my jammies all morning, but Bella was in need of a walk, so we ventured out and pranced around the pond. I dropped her off at home and continued my walk. For some reason, the mist and gloom was invigorating. All bundled up, I felt like an invincible soldier, with long strides and arms pumping to the cadence. (I’m from Chicago- we are tough.)
The birds were chirping and singing sweet songs, not realizing that it was freezing out. I didn’t see another single soul out walking as I pranced my 2.2 miles around the neighborhood. Even though it was grey and gloomy, I enjoyed the sights along my regular route. I especially love the interesting Heart shapes that Mother Nature provides in the strangest places.
About a mile into my walk, a tiny sliver of paper in the grass caught my eye. I just kept walking, then did an about face and went back to pick it up. Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see what it said. It was was one of those slips of paper that comes in a fortune cookie. Hmm? A sign, perhaps?
Ah… a perfect message and sign waiting there just for me. I always say,”If you’re waiting for a sign, this is it.” A sign from the universe? A sign from my guardian angel? My take on it… always keep kindness within your heart, and you can’t help but share it with others.
“Everything you see is merely a symbol for things you do not see.”
― Seth Adam Smith
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Those of you who know me will attest that I’m a huge believer of signs and symbols. I love finding my lucky pennies and feathers. But, there are many more symbols that catch my attention. This week was filled with happy signs, and inspired a little poetry as I walked in the misty morning.
My walking time is my thinking time. Many a revelation or ingenious concept has been conceived on a brisk pace of the feet and heart. I was out around 9am this morning, trying to avoid the forthcoming Texas heat. I know what you’re thinking. Why don’t you get up earlier? Well, I rarely go to bed before 2 or 3 in the morning, and often set my alarm for 7 for church or zumba, so on days I don’t have an agenda, I wake without the alarm, and not very early.
I was only a couple of blocks from my house, on my regular route, when I crossed the road. I noticed out of the corner of my eye, off behind me, a piece of white paper or something in the shape of a cross. It wasn’t on my way, and it was in the middle of the road, so I continued on. Rounding the corner and on the next street, I started to feel guilty. I usually pick up paper, tossed cans, empty bottles, etc. on my walks, and put them in the next trash can, or toss it when I get home. In my guilty state, I decided to walk back that way again and pick up the discarded paper. Maybe it was a sign.
When I approached the intersection, I didn’t see the white cross right away, so I looked around. Ah, there it was, blown across the street. Why did the Toni “cross” the road? To find the discarded cross. A sign perhaps?
It looked like a Sunday School project or something. The juvenile printing looked like a youngster wrote it. Who would toss such a treasure? When I flipped it over, I smiled. Maybe it was a sign. A special cross and symbol left there for me to find. I picked it up and said out loud, “YES, HE DOES!”
I had just started my walk a few minutes earlier, but I “CARRIED MY CROSS” for about another long sweaty hour, and I smiled.
That was my sign and my story for today. JESUS LOVES ME. If I had been lazy or inconsiderate of litter in the street or oblivious to the signs that we are given, I wouldn’t have found this lovely gift. Nor, a meaningful story to share. I will treasure this cross.
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
― Confucius
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You know that I see and think differently than most people. That’s just a fact. It’s a gift, it’s a curse. I see faces in my brownie mix, and I even go a step further, and play with the concept, just for my own personal amusement. ie.
On my daily walks, I see animals in the clouds above, or heart shapes in the cement, beautiful shadows on the sidewalk, and sometimes I see signs. I find my lucky pennies, of course, always a good sign.
This morning, I rescued a poor wiggly worm that was flailing about on the hot sidewalk. I’ve finally gotten over my wiggly worm fear, for the better good of the poor worm community. I picked him up after the morning rain, and placed him in the cool grass.
As I continued my walk, I ran across a couple of less fortunate creatures that did not have a kind benefactor to save them from an untimely and cruel demise. Unfortunately, I can save them all, but I can only do my best. I asked myself, “To be or not to be. That is the……..” you know the rest.
These two previously wiggly worms formed a question mark, a thought provoking symbol. “What’s it all about?” That is the question.
You may see two shriveled worms baking in the mid-day heat. I see a sign, a thought provoking question.
Toni Andrukaitis 