When Marleigh and Delaney were small and they asked about death, I would tell them that a person dies when their heart stops beating. “What then?” they would ask. “Well,” was my explanation, “then their spirit flies away. And their body begins turning back into the earth. But their love always lives on inside of us.” This satisfied them. And me also.
John sent me this photo he took earlier today. He told me that at Ethan’s burial they released a white dove. Later, when the family and friends had gathered back at home, a white dove flew in and lighted on their roof.
I was awestruck by his words. I could hear in the few sentences he wrote that the white dove was a powerful messenger for them today, though he didn’t say exactly how. Did it speak to them of the flying away of the spirit? Did its return speak of the love that resides in their hearts and that will remain there forever? Was that dove a messenger to them of love and peace? To them, was it a symbol of hope and comfort and healing?
Stairway Healing Arts Center 