When I first found this forum Lulie Wayne was here, and she had lost her daughter six years earlier. Six years sounded like such a long time to me then. I liked the idea of time as healer, but I didn't want to get farther away from my Jill.

Now, four-and-a-half years later, I can tell you that I look and feel quite a bit older, and I'll probably cry less today than I did back then (although the day is still young as I write this). But I still feel blessedly close to my daughter.

Please forgive this lengthy tale, but to me this gives hope that our loved ones are always around though we can't see them.

My 29 yr old brother was killed in 1977 and it's hard to believe so much time has passed since his death.
I believe in signs,and I know you do, too. So let me share this with you.

I always wondered what he would have looked like as he got older and I almost got to see first hand.

I was at a social function with about 100 other people and found myself in conversation with an attractive gentleman that I imagined would be how my brother would look at this age had he lived.
As we spoke we found we had so many things in common...previous pet's names, childhood experiences, similar likes and dislikes.

He asked if I had any relatives in PA (we're from FL) and if I possibly had been adopted as a child because I looked like so many of his cousins. In fact, I looked as if I could be a part of his family. I don't have family there and I wasn't adopted.

I then admitted that I imagined my deceased brother would look like him if he had lived.
We went on talking and found we had many more common experiences than we originally found out about.
Then as a joke we asked each other for our birthdates to see if that was a commona factor as well.

I gave my birthdate first and he said his was different.
Then, he told me his birth date and I was stunned! I burst into tears and he couldn't understand why.
Turns out his date of birth and year were my brother's birthdate.

What are the odds of that happening? I feel this was a way for my brother to let me know he was okay. I feel I was blessed to have spent an enjoyable evening with my brother that night and it gave me a sense of peace.

And by the way, this man wasn't on the guest list. He was visiting a friend and just tagged along for the evening.

I hope each one of you who has experienced the loss of a loved one will receive a sign that all is well.

And after all these years I confess I still cry.

Susan

I remember Lulie too. You two have suffered a lot, and you both have helped people here because of what you have learned and experienced. Reaching out while you suffer your own pain is so very kind.

Take care.