"PB 's dying," my husband mumbled as he hung up the phone. "They 're taking him off life support and moving him to Hospice care, but they don 't expect him to last long."
I gave my husband a pep talk, reminding him that his younger brother had escaped death 's grip, many times before, even though the doctors had predicted otherwise. In fact, PB had miraculously eluded death so often that we had compared him to a cat with nine lives. He 'd recovered from life threatening illnesses, deadly accidents, even terminal cancer, so now all we could do is hope and pray he had one of those lives left and that he 'd triumph over the deadly sepsis that ravaged his body.
As the day wore on, instead of nervously waiting for the phone to
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"If you can hear me," I whispered, "I hope you know much we love you--especially your brother." I had a quick talk with PB, got a lot off of my chest, and encouraged him to hang on. Then, I prayed for my husband, asking that he might enjoy his hike, find solace in the still of the woods, and spot some wildlife along the way.
When my husband returned a while later, I asked if he 'd spotted anything neat. From his expression, I knew he 'd seen something amazing.
My husband described how he 'd watched as three piliated woodpeckers swooped down through the forest flying closer to each other than he 'd ever seen them fly before. Many times we 've seen these gorgeous birds, flying with their mates, but never in such close proximity and never three adults together at one time.
When my husband reminded me piliated woodpeckers were one of PB 's favorite birds I broke out in goose bumps. PB had often spoken of his admiration for these beautiful, majestic woodpeckers. Obviously, my brother-in-law had sent a sign.
Unable to contain my excitement, I interrupted my husband 's story, giving my interpretation of his woodpecker sighting.
"The three woodpeckers represent you and your two brothers." I explained, then rattled on, expressing how I felt certain PB would pull through and the three brothers would