GOD'S WATCHCARE

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?
And yet not one of them will fall to
the ground apart from your Father.
Matthew 10:29 (NAS)

The following story was written by Wanda Funchess, my daughter-in-law's mother, after the loss of her husband. It meant a great deal to me, so I asked for permission to share it.

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I first noticed them shortly after my Hank died, two doves hanging around the yard. I only noticed one at first and to show you how the mind can play tricks on you when you are grieving, I began to imagine maybe Hank had come back in the form of a dove to watch me. Indeed it did seem that the dove did watch me as I puttered around the yard or just sat out on the patio drinking my morning coffee. As time passed I became aware that there were two of them and that they were mates. From then on they were always seen together as they walked slowly around the swimming pool pecking in the grass for whatever it is that birds find to eat in grass. They became pets of mine even though I could never get close to them. I began to put birdseed out where they did their morning stroll, and my day usually began by looking for them. It was part of my healing process. For some reason they were a comfort to me and even after I got over that nonsense of thinking maybe Hank had returned in the form of a dove (He would have thought that funny since he used to hunt them at the farm.) I did believe that they were maybe sent by God because He knew how much I loved birds and knew they would be a comfort to me.

Last week I noticed that the female was acting strange. She wasn't moving very much and at first I thought she was hurt and was about to go out to check on her but then she flew away. My week was sort of crazy so I didn't have much spare time to watch them so you can imagine my surprise and sorrow when I walked out one morning and found her huddled under the downspout of the gutter. She had obviously died a day or so before. I haven't seen her mate since, but early in the morning and in the evening I can hear him calling and I imagine he is calling her by name. How I wish I could talk to him and let him know I share his sorrow and that I too have called out a name in the dark hours of the night. Good-bye my little friend.

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