Do you believe in heaven? Do you believe our loved ones are waiting to welcome us?

Two very dear friends lost souls that were important to them and it’s made me wonder. I have always enjoyed watching those shows where people claim that they can talk to the departed, John Edward and Theresa Caupto, but can they really talk to the dead and what’s waiting for us when we cross over?

The first call came earlier today from a dear friend of mine, JSAC, who’s grandmother had passed. He was happy about the fact that he had gotten to see her before she died and knew he needed and wanted to see her; he had been out of town for a few days and knew that when he got back, no matter what was happening, he was going to see her on Monday and that’s just what he did. She wasn’t very responsive, but he talked to her for quite a while and knew, in his heart, that she was listening to all he was telling her.

Today, when he called to tell me, I said the same thing his sister did, Grandma Peaches, as she was affectionately called, was waiting for him to see her, almost as if it was her last bit of business to be completed before she could be at peace.

About 10:45 tonight, I got the text I was dreading from my sweet friend, MM. His sweet boy, Toshi, a spunky, stubborn, loving cat was gone. As you know, I was with MM over the weekend and we talked about Toshi, who had lost a lot of weight and was moving a lot slower but was holding on. MM told me, even before I asked, that he had talked to Toshi a few months ago and then he told me Sunday that he talked to him again Saturday night, giving him permission, if he was ready, to go and that he would be alright, he would see him again someday.

Our pets are known for staying around for us, until either they just can’t move anymore or they know we will be ok and it’s time to move on. I had a wonderful therapist who said the greatest gift we can give our loved ones is the permission to go if and when they are ready.

The people who talk to the departed say that some people are waiting to welcome their loved ones to the other side. Do you think Grandma Peaches was waiting for Toshi, to keep him company until MM was ready to be with him again?

Maybe he’s bringing her love and peace to her heart and a mouse as a token of his appreciation. I know that wherever they are, they are happy, healthy and at peace.