Walking along the nearly two miles of the sandy beach of Lunan Bay, the sun beats down on us, making the sand hot to walk on, while the occasional breeze from the water cools my skin. I glance up at the ruin of the 12th century “Red Castle” which is perched overlooking the bay. The Castle was built for King William (The Lion) of Scotland to defend against Viking invaders, all that stands now is a rectangular tower and the curtain wall. The sun in contrast to the old eerie castle ruins, sends jumbled sensations to my brain. This is Scotland, it’s not supposed to be hot and sunny, it’s supposed to be rainy, foggy and cast an eerie energy, and let’s be totally honest, no one ever puts Scotland and sunbathing on a beach in the same sentence, EVER!
Screaming and laughing pulls me out of my state of awe and amazement, I always seem to pause and get drawn into the ancient energies when I see these amazing Castle ruins. Turning away from the cliffs I see my son Jack and his cousin Neve running fully clothed into the North Sea, both screaming from the shock of the freezing water. We didn’t really come prepared to spend the afternoon on the beach, see the sunbathing and Scotland statement above, so the kids had to improvise, or I should say they just went for it. The rest of the family strolls down the beach, jumping and skipping over the jelly fish that are scattered across the shoreline. The view is outstanding, and the beach is massive, the tide is heading out to sea making it wide as it is long. if you didn’t notice the castle ruins staring down at the visitors, you would think this location belonged on a tropical island.
My cousins Gael and Gemma catch up with me, leaving the water adventurers behind, we continue on our walk towards the caves that are carved out in the cliffs from the North Sea. As we stare out at the amazing view, we start discussing visits and signs from the other side. The girls had lost their Mum (Aunty Gill, a wonderful, gorgeous and fun woman) a few years before and it has been a struggle for them, like it is for many people. But at the same time, they do feel that their Mum comes to visit often. When Gill passed away, Gemma sat with her before the undertakers arrived. She asked her Mum to please send her a Robin to let her know that she was on the other side and ok. Less than four hours later, while Gemma was busying herself cleaning her front windows and attempting to keep her mind off of the day’s events, she looked out on to her front lawn and sitting there looking at her was a Robin! What was so incredible about this is that it was far too early in the year for Robins to be around and she knew right then that it was a message from her Mum. Her Mum had heard her and was letting her know that she was ok. Since then Robins have appeared in the strangest places and at the most appropriate times, whether that’s at someone’s birthday celebrations or a moment when the emotions where getting to be too much and they just needed some comfort.
I start telling them that I know that Aunty Gill and a few other family members arranged for the bagpiper’s appearance at Dunnottar Castle when we had just recently visited. (Gill had visited me a week or so before we were leaving for our visit and she assured me that we would have a fabulous time and that she would make sure of it). It was the most amazing and perfect scene. Just as we were approaching the picturesque cliff’s and view of the Castle, a gentleman dressed in a green tartan kilt strolled past us, after getting a few yards ahead, he set down the large bag he was carrying and pulled out a set of bagpipes. He filled the bag with air and started to perform. All of us including the Scottish crew, stood in awe. It was like a scene out of a “tourism Scotland commercial”. Aunty Gill and the rest of the Scottish family on the other side, wanted us all and especially our kids to have the best “Scottish” experience we could have. Aunty Gill and Steve (my hubby) had a very close relationship and she’d want him to have the best visit that he could have.
Just as I’m about to tell them of more hello from spirit stories, the girls stop dead in their tracks. Gemma’s hand covers her mouth, tears form in her eyes, Gael walks forward in shock. I’m not sure exactly what is happening until I look forward and covering a section of the beach is at least two or three dozen long stemmed yellow roses. They appear to have washed up and a large section of the beach was coated in the brilliant coloured roses. I know immediately it’s another hello from Aunty Gill. Gemma walks forward and standing next to a few she tells me that it is the anniversary of Aunty Gills passing that day, and yellow roses were her favorite flower. It is truly amazing how spirit is always working to be in our lives and to make us feel better. Most times there is no big message, it is simply to say hello, these flowers were like a huge hug from Aunty Gill to her kids. To let them know that she is there as well, enjoying the beach with her kids and her Grandchildren.
After a while we all move on, thanking Aunty Gill for the hello and set up our picnic spot. Jack and Neve continue to splash in the freezing waters as the rest of us watch half in awe half knowing that they are crazy. As the kids play and the husbands go off to explore and kick around a ball, Gael, Gemma and I continue the conversation we had started before the gorgeous message from their mother.
Gemma tells me the most incredible story of spirit making themselves known in the most loving way that I have ever heard. It was regarding the birth of Gemma’s son, River. It was almost a year to the date, August 9th, when Gemma went into labour with the unstoppable little boy. Her due date was November 14th, the baby was not due for months, Gemma was only 26 weeks along. Gemma and her husband Barry, aka Uncle Baz to us, rushed to the hospital terrified. It was way too early for their little guy to be coming. But as they quickly learned, the baby was done waiting and he was coming into the world, whether they wanted him to or not. As the two of them tried to stay calm a series of strange things happened that made them realize that they were not alone and that the spirits of both their Mum’s were there and helping. And that no matter how little River came into the world, he was going to be ok.
As they were rushed into the hospital, an amazing Pediatric Specialist came to assist them. He was calm and gentle and made them feel as comfortable as one could in the situation. He was the first Doctor that came to see them that night and ended up staying way past his shift to make sure all was stable. When he greeted them with a kind smile, he told them that his name was Robin. As soon as Gemma heard that she knew that her Mum was there. And with confidence she felt that her Mum was sending her a clear message and that their child would be ok. Robin continued to assist Gemma, keeping her comfortable and did his best to calm her and Barry down. As the delivery got closer, they were put into a labour room (one of many), the stress levels got higher, things were not looking good, but as they entered the room they heard music playing from a radio station on the TV, the song that surrounded them was “Stand By Me “ by Ben E. King, not only did the song have amazing words of encouragement but it was a song that every time Barry heard it, it reminded him of his mum Moira who passed away when Barry was younger. They both looked at each other and smiled, Barry’s Mum was there helping as well.
Inspired by The River Tay, a beautiful, fast flowing, and strong river, which flows by the town of Broughty Ferry which they grew up in, Gemma and Barry named their empowered and strong son River. River was well named, because there is nothing stronger in nature than a river. He flows with what struggles are presented to him, constantly moving forward not allowing anything to stand in his way. He was 2 pounds 2 ounces (980g) when he was born and then dropped to a scary 740g after he was born. Many people didn’t think he would make it, but Gemma and Barry knew that their Mum’s were there cheering him on and helping where they could. I knew that Aunty Gill wouldn’t have it any other way. I also could feel River’s energy and knew that Gemma and Barry were going to have to get prepared because River couldn’t wait to get into this world, and there are, no obstacles that he will not climb, jump, or run through as he is growing. He is going to keep them on their toes. And both their Mum’s will be on the other side, watching and laughing at all the wonderful things he does. Steve and I were 100% convinced as well that he had a team behind him so much so that we promised we would be in Scotland for his first birthday and we would all go on adventures. It’s hard to believe now that he is 2 that he was ever that tiny, and as predicted Gemma and Barry spend their days running after him.
As I’m typing this story a huge blue jay is sitting on one of my lawn chairs screeching at me. I attempt to ignore it for a while, but after 5 minutes of it screaming at me. I look up at it over my computer screen and make eye contact. We stare at each other for a minute when all of a sudden it screeches again. I literally hit the roof and jump out of my skin. Once I calm down, I look at it again, growling under my breath for it to go away and let me work. And then as I’m having a staring contest with this large blue and white and extremely loud bird Emilia comes strolling into the kitchen. She stops, looks at me, then looks at the Blue Jay and moves to the pantry to make herself some lunch. With her head stuck in the pantry she says over her shoulder. “Are you having a good conversation with Grandma?” And that is when the penny drops for me. DUH! Of course.
The blue jay screeches again. “Yes mother, I get it! I know I’m slow on the up take sometimes, you could have just walked in as a spirit and spoke to me, but I promise to tell your story as well.”
Like Gemma and the Robin, my mother often visits as a blue jay. I’m not sure if it’s because she never liked the idea of speaking to me from the other side, (when she was in the hospital passing away she told me not to expect her to chat with me, she thought it was creepy) so for her to visit and watch quietly as a large blue bird (or in this case, not so quietly) is more her style. Why a Blue Jay? Well, not only was my mother the biggest Major League Baseball, Toronto Blue Jays fan, we also spent many summers in the Boston area, where blue jays were abundant and many restful afternoons by my Aunt’s pool were disturbed by screaming blue jays that darted across the back garden. My Aunt and Mother used to yell at them to be quiet.
After my mother passed, I started to see the trend of blue jays popping up here and there. At first, I thought it was a fun little coincidence (even though I do not believe in coincidences). But then it started to be a bit more in our face that I quickly realized that this was my mother making her presence known to everyone around not just me. She would come in spirit and walk through the house, making me sneeze (that was another thing my mother was known for, every morning she would sneeze at least 50 times) and then she would just leave. She would not chat no matter how hard I attempted to get her to stop and have a conversation with me. She was true to her word she was not in any rush to speak to me directly from the other side. As the years passed, more blue jays, showed up, in and around our lives. Although we do spot the occasional blue jay in our area, they are not that abundant or at least they weren’t until now.
We started to put the blatant blue jay visits and my mother together, my kids would say “hello Grandma” every time we’d spot one. When Emilia started grade nine, she was extremely nervous. She was leaving the comforts of her elementary school and her tight friend group and moving on to the big world of high school. Hundreds of kids and a whole new way of doing things. She was convinced high school was like it is on tv, keg parties and singing in the hallways, with tough bullies locking kids in their lockers. She was a nervous wreck walking to school the first day until a screech caught her attention. She learned very quickly that high school is nothing like those teen movies or tv shows. As she left our house to walk the 15 minutes around the block to the school, she spotted in a tree next to the sidewalk a big blue jay. She smiled at it and said hello in her mind. As she walked by the blue jay flew to the next tree and screeched again. Again, as she walked by the blue jay flew to the next tree. This continued all the way to the front of the high school. She never mentioned anything to me until a few weeks went by, and she said that every morning for the first few weeks that blue jay walked her to school. The following week when she was less afraid and more confident about her classes and school in general the blue jay stopped showing up. She knew that her Grandmother was walking her to school and was there when she really needed her, but once she was feeling better her Grandmother didn’t need to be there anymore. Emilia did say that occasionally she would spy it across the street from the school and knew that it was just making sure she was ok.
I used to think that spirit just sends the birds to us to let us know that our loved ones are watching from somewhere, that they are around, or that they are thinking about us, but they are not the actual bird. But when a bird escorts your daughter to school for two weeks, you start to question that theory. To this day we are stalked by blue jays. In the summer as a family we often head over to the Provincial Park near our house for a nice hike with our dogs. I’d say 90 percent of the time a blue jay will follow us or dart from tree to tree on our route, screeching and making their presence known. All of us say hello to her, sometimes she will continue on our walk with us, other times as soon as we say hello, she flies off.
Many people are not fortunate like I am to physically see or talk to spirit, so spirit knowing this will try many different ways to let us know that they are hanging around and that they love us. Random songs may come on, dimes appear in strange places or you may be stalked by a blue jay.
