Her bunnies

[Perro J]

Back when she was still here - I bought her a pair of pink bunny slippers to wear around the house when she was over. When she'd come in she'd smile and call my name and ask "Would you please bring me my bunnies?" and then she'd put them on and tromp around the house with the little pink ears flopping around.

Last year, after she died, her family asked me if there was anything I wanted to see on her tombstone. I explained that I didn't know if it was possible but it would be meaningful to me if they could etch an image of her bunny slippers on the stone. I didn't really expect it was possible but I thought it would have been a nice idea.

Two days before I left for Ecuador for the placement of the tombstone, I looked out in my front yard and saw four rabbits grouped together. I have a little food out there, so that isn't amazing in and of itself, but normally it is just one or two. Not four. Later on that day, walking to the gym, I saw two more. The following day I saw one in the morning, and again another in the evening. I got up at 2:30 am the following morning to head to my mother's home as she would take me to the airport. At the end of my alley was waiting another bunny. Heading down a nearby street, another rabbit crossed the road. After getting through downtown and heading past her old apartment building, still yet another rabbit ran across the road. Finally, arriving at my mother's home - one more bunny awaited in her front yard, looking curiously at me as I approached. Normally, I see one or two every few days. A dozen in effectively two days is an outlier.

When I got to Ecuador and we went to the old church (built in 1547) in the town of her birth for the mass in remembrance of her - finally I got to see la lapida or the tombstone. On it, placed on each side of her photo, was placed a rabbit, her name and mine, each inscribed on a bunny.

They weren't bunny slippers, mind you, but just a more general representation of a rabbit. A little decorative metal novelty attached to the stone - and the fact that I had asked for bunny slippers made it not so much a surprise that they were on there. You may wish to say that the presence of all those rabbits prior to my departure was a coincidence - and I'll understand that. Yet I prefer to think that it wasn't. That they were in fact present in answer to the beckoning of her spirit - and they were there to let me know that she knows that I made the journey - and that I still love her - and she still loves me.

[LMR]

That is a beautiful story. I'm sure you are right snd they were there for you. I haven't seen that many bunnies in my entire life.

I'm glad that you got some comfort from them.

[tnd]

5 hours ago, Perro J said:

You may wish to say that the presence of all those rabbits prior to my departure was a coincidence - and I'll understand that. Yet I prefer to think that it wasn't. That they were in fact present in answer to the beckoning of her spirit - and they were there to let me know that she knows that I made the journey - and that I still love her - and she still loves me.

Perro J:  As my husband and I would say, "we don't believe in coincidences". Thank you for sharing this. I've always felt that animals were God's gift to us. I think you've received a very special gift.  

[SoVerySad]

That's a beautiful story, and I think all the bunnies you saw are exactly what you believe them to be and to represent.

[foreverhis]

Coincidence?  I don't think so.  I think all those bunnies were a sign sent from her to you, an expression of love that she probably hoped would make you smile a little.

I think it's very sweet that her family incorporated bunnies with your names into her tombstone.  Although they aren't slippers, they are nevertheless very meaningful.  That her family loves you enough, thinks enough of you, to do it is really special.

Please don't doubt yourself on this.

[KayC]

I don't believe in coincidences either and this is way much to consider it such!  It brought tears to me, happy tears, yes she knows, and I'm so glad for all those bunnies!

[annie123]

Great story!! Made me smile

[Gail 8588]

Perro, 

Thinking of you on your visit in Ecuador. Hoping your experiences will bring you some peace.  I also think the bunnies were a sign of her love for you. 

Safe travels. 

Gail