Rainbows

On Ash Wednesday, I came home from work exhausted. I was on the phone with a friend and knew I needed to get ready if I wanted to make it to Mass on time. I was tempted to stay home. Eventually, the Catholic guilt got the better of me and I headed out the door. As I stepped off my porch I saw a beautiful bright double rainbow. 

For the past four weeks I had often prayed for a sign. I needed a sign that Branden was still connected to me somehow. The rainbow was the sign I needed. A friend sent a text as I was driving to ask how I was doing. I responded that at the moment I was crying because I saw a rainbow  I think she understood my response. I was sad but had hope. I sat in the car for a few minutes trying to regain some composure. As I walked inside the church I heard multiple people talking about the rainbow. 

The next time I saw a rainbow was a few weeks later in early May. Branden and I had both volunteered at a homeless shelter in town, Lifeboat Alliance. Then life got busy but he talked often about wanting to volunteer again or at least start taking meals. After his death, so many people brought me food in my time of need and I wanted to give back when I could. On this particular Sunday that I took dinner to Lifeboat, one of the guests came out to help me carry in the food. He was so happy because he was offered a job that day and felt like life was getting back on track. He said he felt blessed. I realize that I am fortunate. My story could have been very different if my husband hadn't decided to pay for extra life insurance or if I didn't have family and friends willing to help. You never know what's coming that could knock you to your knees. I was feeling a bit emotional as I drove home and as I was approaching our road I saw a beautiful rainbow. Another sign that I needed that night.