Signs, signs ... am I supposed to see signs?

Are our loved ones who died still able to communicate with us? I don't mean communicating in the sense of actually hearing them speak to us. Can our spouses communicate with us through our dreams or special songs that come on the radio? Are there signs that hold particular meaning such as seeing a bird pause on a branch outside our window or watching a butterfly land near us that are intended to speak to us?

During the past three and a half years, I've been fortunate to meet so many amazing women (and a few men) who also are widowed. Through blogs or posts on Facebook, some of them have commented about vividly sensing their spouse. For one woman, the connection came in the form of a butterfly. For another widow, it was a series of songs that played on the radio; each song held special meaning for them. Others have said they smelled the cologne their spouse wore. Another widow said, for the briefest moment, she could see her late husband smiling at her.

I haven't had those same experiences. If I did, especially smelling Steve's cologne or seeing him, even for a second or two, I wonder if I would be comforted or freaked out. I don't know.

I did have one distinct moment when I truly sensed Steve communicated with me. This happened a little more than two years after Steve died. I was attending a wedding with a guy I was dating at the time. We were at the reception. Dinner was over and the standard dances had started -- father/bride, mother/groom, wedding party and so on. Then, it was time for the dance when everyone is invited to join the bride and groom on the dance floor.

The song started playing. By the first note, I knew the song. I knew it well, actually. Al Green began singing the first words of his classic song, "Let's Stay Together." Seriously? Of all the songs in the world, the couple chose this song? But, this was our song. Not with this guy ... but my special song with Steve. It was at our wedding when Steve played this song for me and we were the bride and groom dancing.

I glanced up at the ceiling ... and thought "Really?" It was then that I could swear I "heard," "Go, go make new memories."

Wow.

So, I smiled, stood up and walked to the dance floor.

I haven't had other experiences in which I sensed Steve was trying to communicate with me. At least, I don't think I've sensed him. I wish I would, though. By sensing his presence or feeling like he's communicating with me, maybe I'd feel a sense of comfort in knowing he's "in a better place" or perhaps feel like part of him is still with me.

Signs, signs ... maybe they are all around us. I don't know.

Perhaps I need to stop, take time out of my busy schedule, breathe and be more aware of the signs that may be right in front of me.

So, the journey continues ...