I recently had a book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Davenport Iowa. I wasn't sure who was going to show up, or if I was going to connect with anyone, but I always hope for at least ONE person who gives me that sort of "goose bump" moment- someone with a story so moving, I know it was worth my time to make the trip.

That person was named Janet.

I'd had a sleepless night with my 2 year old, and gotten up at 5am to be interviewed on "Good Morning Quad Cities" to promote my signing. As I sat at the table inside the bookstore struggling to keep my eyes open, I saw a woman run towards the table. It was 8:30, and I was just getting ready to leave for the night."Jenniffer- I'm so glad you're still here!" She said with urgency. "My Dad just died three weeks ago, and I saw you talk about how our loved ones give us signs and signals from the other side on the news this morning," she said, trying to catch her breath. "Normally, I don't think that way- but something you said really stuck with me. So I went to work, thinking about my Dad. Then- a bird flew into where I work. It was a wren. We were worried about it being stuck there over night. So I walked towards it, and it let me catch it in my hand. As I took it outside to let it go, it didn't fly away. It just sat on my finger, perched. It let me pet it on the head twice, and looked me right in the eye. It took my breath away. My father loved animals and birds. I just knew that little bird was my Dad. And I never would have thought that had I not seen your interview this morning," she said with tears in her eyes. Then she grabbed my hand as a tear ran down her cheek and said, "thank you Jenniffer for giving me that gift today."

Thank you Janet- for giving ME the gift of your story. We are not alone. And your Dad is smiling down at you.