Monday, December 5, 2016

Mission In Memoriam

Last year, my good friend, Elena, lost her father ... and just a few months ago, after a year of battling lung cancer, the removal of one lung, and many other complications, her mother passed away.
When she found out I was going to Jerusalem in November, she asked if I could light candles in memory of her parents and make a donation to the church.
And what better place to do that than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of the Resurrection.
  
This door is the one entrance to the church.
And just beyond it is the Stone of Anointing where it is believed Jesus was prepared for burial.
 
Upstairs is Calvary Chapel.
Which is where I made the donation.
And was able to light the candles in memory of Elena's father and mother, speaking their names as I did so.
I consider myself to be a spiritual person rather than subscribing to any particular religion.  I do believe in signs.

As I was leaving the chapel, something floated from above, directly in front of my face. 
"When angels are near, feathers appear ..."

It is believed that white feathers represent protection and that our loved ones have crossed over into the spirit realm.
It was a very moving moment.

I saved that little feather and attached it to the wings of an olive wood angel that I gifted to my friend upon my return home.
Sending you blessings for a beautiful new week.

26 comments:

Maya Kuzman said...

What a beautiful, sincere, heart-warming gesture! The whole story brought tear to my eyes. I hope your friend finds consolation in the precious gift and feather you sent her! I would love to be able to visit Jerusalem one day, visit that church and light candles for my beloved father and grandparents God had taken into his embrace...

Jodiebodie said...

A beautiful post, Tammy and a loving gesture. Thoughts and prayers for your friend and her mother. xx

Mary said...

What an amazing thing to have happened Tammy - most certainly a sign for your dear friend to tell her that her parents are in a better place now. The olive wood angel is so beautiful - you were thoughtful to bring her something so lovely from Jerusalem.

Wonderful photos - I have never been there, perhaps some days in my travels.
Hugs - Mary

Anonymous said...

I am sure it gave great comfort to your friend to have the candles lit for her parents. The church building is amazing.

Diane said...

I'm sure your friend is more than touched. To stand in the room where Jesus tomb is would be an earth shaking experience for me and yet.......He is with me always and that is so humbling and peaceful. What a beautiful trip for you, Tammy. Diane

Teresa Kasner said...

How very good and kind of you to light the candles for your friend.. that place looks so amazing! Thank you for sharing! I got goosebumps when the feather fell to you.. how special and to give it to your friend with the carved angel. You are quite something. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

Linda said...

This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Betsy said...

Tammy, this is one place I have always longed in my heart to visit. Thank you for letting me go with you. It was a beautiful thing you did for your friend and she must feel cherished to have a friend like you after the tragedies she's experienced in the loss of her parents. I admit, I cried as I read this post and I'm honored that you consider me a friend.
Blessings,
Betsy

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
What a lovely and touching post this is!
So sweet that you were able to carry out this wish for your dear friend.
It is tough when loved ones are no longer with us and especially after such long suffering on earth.
For sure making the donation, lighting the candles and speaking their names was touching to do at such a holy place.
Yes, I too believe in Angels, we all cannot understand yet what goes on beyond death but they sure do leave us tokens.
Hugs to you,
Mariette

Melanie said...

That was so beautiful that you did that for your friend and I love the story about the feather. What a beautiful church you were in. I can't imagine being in Jerusalem, how awe-inspiring that would be.

Gracie Saylor said...

Tammy, I have just caught up with your posts I have missed over the last few weeks. I care about your losses, and thank you for sharing how you are moving forward in your life as you lovingly come along side family members and friends mourning the loss of other family members and friends. I am so glad you were able to light the candles and catch the feather and give meaningful gifts. May you and yours enjoy your time together during the holidays. Although we did not get much accumulation of snow today, it was amazingly beautiful as it fell and it caused much hippity hopping from my little grand girls who hoped there would be enough to play in :) Sending you lots of hugs xx

Susan said...

That was a lovely post, Tammy. I'm sure your friend was touched by the feather, the figurine and your visit to the church in her loved ones' names. Sincerely, Susan

Blondie's Journal said...

You are a wonderful friend, Tammy, and this as an amazingly thoughtful post. Sending condolences to Elena and her family.

Jane

linda said...

That's amazing Tammy what a beautiful church, I like you believe in signs they can be subtle but they are there if you are open to them. You did a wonderful thing for your friend. Thank you for leaving such lovely comments on my blog. :) xx

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Tammy,

Such a lovely post and so nice that you were able to do this for your friend.
Your kindness will help ease the pain of her loosing her parents and I know that she will find comfort at this difficult time. Such a magnificent church.
Hope you are enjoying the week
hugs
Carolyn

Mereknits said...

YOu know my love of feathers, and that they are a sign from the Universe/God that things will be okay. I love this story, I am very spiritual yet do not conform to a certain organized religious faith. Signs like you had, being moved while being present in such a sacred space, that is religion to me.
Hugs and thank you for the story Tammy.

Curtains in My Tree said...


How wonderful about the feather. I had never heard this before.I am sure your friend finds much comfort in you bringing the feather back to her as a sign from an angel knowing why you were there

Amy at love made my home said...

How wonderfully kind. xx

Dagmar said...

How loving and thoughtful you are, truly an inspiring post. The feather is a beautiful sign isn't it. Our world needs more love, caring and compassion..thank you for sharing this Tammy.
Xo

Kit said...

Oh my, you have me in tears right now. What a beautiful place to be able to go to. Reading this, and your kind gesture made my evening. Thank you for sharing this my friend. :) Kit

Hindustanka said...

Such a beautiful church... I wish to visit Jerusalem at least once in my life... But some things seem not possible.
It was a definitely such a mystic sign.. I am sure your friend's parents souls are happy up there.

Poppy said...

What a wonderfully kind gesture, Tammy, in honour of your friend Elena's parents. I am intrigued with the events that took place and as a Greek Orthodox, I am touched by your appreciation of them.

Happy Holidays!

Poppy

handmade by amalia said...

How wonderful that you've been to my part of the world, Tammy. And what a lovely thing to do for a friend. Great photos!
Amalia
xo

Lotusblommans vardag said...

So nice photos from Jerusalem.

The church is so beautiful. My daughters family on her
fathers side are orthodox syrians who lived in Beirut
for many years and so many of their churches are very
very old and gorgeously decorated.

I bealieve in feathers as signs of Angels too.
Once I did find one on the floor at home when
reading a book I have, "Meet your gardian Angel"
written by the norwegian Crownprincess Märtha-Louise
and her friend Elisabeth. I love their book very much!

She even wrote a recipe of a lentils soup in it which
I use from time to time. She like simple cooking and
everything organic and close to nature.

I know you are a real soup-lover too!
:)

Sam I Am...... said...

What a gift to all of us that you could put the pictures out here for all of us to see. I, like you, don't identify with any one religion but rather try to follow a spiritual path customized just for me! LOL! I did not know that about feathers but that happened to me last week and it was a down feather which surprised me as all the nesting is long done with here. What a beautiful gift to your friend and especially the very meaningful feather. Bless you and Elena and may she find peace even in her sorrow.

Sangeetha said...

A lovely post and beautiful pics. The feather falling at the exact time is amazing. I am a great believer of "signs". While I am spiritual and have respect for religions and rituals, I don't really follow anything specific. Maybe it comes from being a Hindu, educated in a convent school run by nuns, and having worked for ages in a bank run by a Muslim community :)
So Hail Mary and InshaAllah slip off my tongue as easily as Hari Om. And that is the way I want to keep it. Have a lovely day.

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