Believing in Miracles

I  have a wonderful friend who is one of the most intelligent people I have ever known.  He is someone who could be called self-educated because most of his knowledge and wisdom comes from all the books he has read and all the experiences he has lived. He is a spiritual person, and devout in his religious beliefs. He has been through many struggles in his life including health crises and addiction, and he not only survived but took these and other struggles as a catalyst for personal growth and helping others. He is truly a positive and inspirational light, and I have never heard him complain about anything.  Most everyone I know would have complained, at least once, but that is not him. He manifests and lives with gratitude. He does not feel that the world or anyone in particular owes him anything, in fact he is kind and upbeat to everyone.  

 

If I told you the reality of his daily struggles, and knowing the incredible person he is, you can understand why what I am about to tell you is so beautiful. He had a dog, for more than ten years ( I am not exactly sure of the exact number of years) and a year ago his constant companion died. Perhaps you can relate to the devastation of this experience.  Because his dog died so suddenly and because of my friend’s frail health, he had a heart attack. Fortunately over these past months he has recovered, and a few days ago he decided to get a dog just in time for the holidays. This was especially meaningful for him.

 

When he got the dog home he had him on a leash and was sitting outside with him when the neighbor’s grandchildren came over to excitedly meet him. My friend was of course welcoming, but his dog became so agitated that he pulled from his leash, and out of his collar and ran. The neighbors rallied, and my friend put signs up (someone tore them down—but that’s a whole other story) and a chain of alerts including the police were notified.

 

Hearing this news from across the country, as my friend lives in California and I live in Charleston, I was heartbroken. Although, I like my friend, am not going to ask for things, I really felt in my heart the calling to ask the Divine for a Christmas miracle for the dog to come home to him. I recounted two stories from my life when I found dogs and returned them to their families, and this seemed to give my friend (and me too) some comfort.  Both my friend and I had faith that the best would happen, and I will add that I had faith that the dog was still alive and would return. When I hung up the phone I prayed with all my heart for a Christmas miracle and for the dog’s return to my friend. I believed it could happen.  

 

This morning, when I opened my eyes (and yes I believe it is a miracle), I saw a text from my friend that late last night, California time, the dog was returned to him. The dog came home just in time for Christmas.  

 

And so, in my experience, there is such a thing as miracles. And even if you do not believe in miracles, the dog’s name is BEAR which was the nickname of my friend’s brother who passed on several years ago. Maybe, perhaps, you might believe in angels?

 

Linda Joy Walder