Moving Forward

It has been about 6 weeks since I started down this path of running for City Council.

Quickly I realized, campaigning was going to be tough.

My in box full of solicitations for flyers and signs and other ways to get my name out there. There were so many invitations to events. And then there were the surveys. So many surveys and requests for my input on the issues affecting the city.

This was all before I started walking every day, to spread the word and bring my campaign to people’s doorstep.

It became all consuming quickly, and I was worried about losing my connection with CJ.

The first few days I was out, every day, two grasshoppers would appear in front of me. Every day. At first it meant nothing. Until I realized how often it was happening.

Then I looked them up. They are a sign. Did you know grasshoppers can only move forward? They are a symbol - a reminder to trust yourself and move forward to the unknown.

It felt like a nudge from CJ - move forward Mom.

Then the signs began that he was there. Feathers at the end of driveways. Birds in the trees right beside the doors. Never moving, even when my two sidekicks got close to them.

The most profound sign. A few days ago, I was tired, the dogs were cranky, it was late. I heard a noise and looked up. A beautiful osprey, young I think. It was right over my head. I stopped and just watch it move away over the trees. My tiredness had disappeared. After a couple seconds it circled back once and then flew away.

I was so worried for nothing. Yes I am moving forward. But I’m not losing my connection to CJ. It is still there strong as ever.