Family, Grief, Life, Soul Homework, Universe

hugs from the universe

Kari

over the past several years, i’ve noticed an increasing number of strange occurrences in my life. while these events may have been ongoing for much longer, my awareness of them began to develop around five years ago.

i have explored and written about some of these fascinating experiences over the years.

my tattoo story

heaven 17 and bijoux

beds are burning

i used to refer to these experiences as “universe!” then, at some point, i started using “synchronicity.” i’m not entirely sure why i made that change; maybe i came across the term somewhere.

they feel like cosmic embraces, hugs from another planet, or from the universe itself.

source


since a friend’s death in 2022, i’ve encountered a number of unexplainable signs. following my dad’s cancer diagnosis, these signs became a regular occurrence, sometimes appearing multiple times a day.

sometimes, i hesitate to share these experiences. even as i write this now, i feel vulnerable. but these encounters are undeniably real. these posts aren’t for skeptics; they’re for those who have also experienced such moments and feel they lack a space to discuss them openly.

today, i feel compelled to share some of the memorable experiences i’ve had.

source

world’s finest chocolate

while waiting at the cancer center in mid-march, my dad and i reminisced about the chocolate bars i sold for marching band fundraisers. despite selling various items like lightbulbs and oranges for trips and instrument repairs, the chocolate bars were always the most popular. especially with students at school.

i remember carrying a box and people rushing to buy them between classes, like i was a drug dealer.

my dad and i laughed about how good those chocolate bars were, especially the caramel ones, and wondered what made them so delicious. i googled and discovered they (“worlds finest chocolate”) were made in chicago and even had an outlet. we laughed again at the coincidence. i took a screenshot of the address and moved on.

a month later, my dad was gone.

a few weeks after my dad passed away, my mom and i went to a nursery in southern wisconsin for flowers. she wanted to stop at a little piggly wiggly grocery store in a small town they used to visit on their day trips. as we reached the checkout, we were met with a heartwarming surprise:

my mom didn’t know the story, but i stood there in awe and asked the checkout lady, “do you have caramel?” they checked with other employees, but naturally, they were out because caramel was everyone’s favorite. nevertheless, we bought two bars.

inside, though, i wanted to jump up and down, scream, and cry.

i told my mom the entire story in the car and we both cried happy/sad tears.

dad was right there with us in line at the piggly wiggly.

by the way, the candy bars do not taste the same. they never do.🖤

task manager

a month after my dad passed away, i had a song called “little things” on my playlist. i loved this song but noticed it hadn’t played on my playlist for a while. i even said out loud, “why can’t my favorite song come on when i’m in the car?”

then, one day, it did—right after i said it out loud. it felt like my dad was behind it.

around that time, i started to realize that my dad and i were connecting through music. little synchronicities here and there. i know it sounds like something i should have always known, but for some reason, i only realized it recently.

in mid-may, i was driving to a therapy appointment when “little things” started playing. then, mid-song, my car stereo started acting up:

(please excuse my dusty car) see “task manager” flash on the screen? *added after publishing – look at the time: 4:11.

my car had never acted like this before. normally, i would panic in such situations, but strangely, i felt calm.

remember that phrase, “task manager”…

again, ignore dirty car. it’s been one hell of a six months…

it kept doing that for about another minute, maybe 30 seconds in total. in my mind, i thought if it stops right after the song “little things” ends, i’ll know it’s my dad.

it stopped as soon as the song “little things” ended.

my car has not repeated that since may 15th.

when i shared this with my family, ella said, “i wonder if it’s morse code?”

my dad served in the navy and used morse code as part of his duties, so it would make sense for him to send a message this way to let us know it’s him.

also, the phrase “task manager” – he was the ultimate task manager. very organized, always busy with little projects.

i was on cloud nine for a week after that experience.

telephone line

at the beginning of june, my mom and i were at a doctor’s appointment at the hospital where my dad had been treated. while waiting for my mom’s doctor, we heard a medical alert over the pa system, which triggered both of us.

while we were sitting there, my mom commented on feeling my dad’s presence all the time and how lucky we are to receive signs from him. i agreed as we listened to the medical alert repeat over and over.

but at that moment, i didn’t feel my dad’s presence at all. it had been a while since i’d received any signs from him, which made me feel even more grief and sadness.

a few days later, while working on a blog post about my 100 favorite songs, i noticed a song at the bottom of my previously created playlist that i hadn’t added:

telephone line by elo

i checked my other playlists to see if i had added the song somewhere else by accident. my dad loved the group elo so it would make sense if i had added this song to his playlist.

it was in his playlist, but much further at the top, indicating that i added it a while ago.

then, a thought came into my head, but i realized it wasn’t just a thought—it was my dad.

listen to the song

“hello, how are you? have you been alright? through all those lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely nights? that’s what i’d say, i’d tell you everything, if you’d pick up that telephone….don’t you realize the things we did, we did, were all for real, not a dream, i just can’t believe, they’ve all faded out of view…blue days, black nights….i look into the sky…and i wonder why….the little things you planned aint comin’ true…oh, oh, telephone line, give me some time, i’m living in twilight.”

my dad’s been with me all this time. i just needed to “pick up that telephone.” for me and my dad, it seems, our telephone is music.

this was from our bird cam on father’s day evening. you can hear a train horn in the distance, even though our trains are under a silence ordinance. i believe this was a hug from dad on our first father’s day without him. 🌈

i sense my dad’s presence in unconventional ways. songs, sunsets, train horns. through the love of the people around me. i feel his presence when others reach out and show me care, through the bond with my mom and the mutual care we share. in the love i receive from my daughters, my husband, and even my dogs.

i don’t always feel my dad’s presence during big moments like holidays, milestones, anniversaries, or birthdays—times when society expects me to. i feel my dad most deeply when i’m alone, in quiet moments, and through small things only he and i would understand.

i share posts like this with you to give hope, because losing my dad left me feeling hopeless at times. but i don’t feel that way as much any more. there is always hope. 🖤

Coincidence learn – Coincidence

“most of us notice lots of things, but we usually choose to believe they have nothing to do with us. spiritually, everything we see is put in front of us for a reason.” -monica berg

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44 thoughts on “hugs from the universe”

  1. Kari,

    I’m glad you feel safe to share these things here. I’m glad you are finding and feeling comfort, and feeling your dad’s presence in so many ways. I appreciate all the ways you are helping me see and understand your journey through profound grief. I know it’s only a matter of time until it will be my turn. Sending you love–

    Liked by 1 person

  2. This is so lovely, Kari. I’m so glad that your dad is sending you hugs from the universe, and that you’re able to notice them. So beautiful. I’m sending you a hug as well!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Umm…you probably noticed this already, but in case you did not, the lyrics in “Telephone Line” (great song BTW, I love ELO) also mention “little things.”

    No way is that a coincidence.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. This post touched me. Since my dad’s passing, I’ve had these synchronicities as well. It’s comforting to know he is with me, just as your dad is with you. Thank you for your post today.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Kari, I love the page you highlighted from “Beyond the Stars” because I truly believe that. And it took going through what I refer to as “the dark night of the soul” to make me aware of the signs around me that were guiding and supporting me through a 2-year period of having my life completely fall apart, only to fall back together again. But in a different way.

    The examples you shared of the signs you received are so beautiful. I got chills reading the ones you and your dad connecting through music! And Ella is right, it does sound like morse code!

    ““most of us notice lots of things, but we usually choose to believe they have nothing to do with us. spiritually, everything we see is put in front of us for a reason.” -monica berg”

    Yes, I am absolutely sure of that.

    Thank you so much for sharing these stories, my friend. Sending you much love and Reiki!

    ((((((((((((((( XXXXXXXXXXXXX YOU XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ))))))))))))))

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, friend, you have no idea how much you’ve inspired me without realizing it. I’ve been thinking about your dark night a lot over the last three months. I am so glad you are here.

      I love that Ella even thought of it!

      I am also absolutely sure of it.

      Thank you for reading, believing me, and sending me Reiki! So much love to you, my friend. 😘❤️😘❤️

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  7. I remember those caramel chocolate bars. They were exemplary. And as for signs across the universe, I stand firmly in the column of believing and welcome any and every glimmer. My only hope is to one day be more proactive with inviting spirits to visit. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I love all three of those synchronicities and I think of you all the time while I’m listening to First Wave in my CRV! But, wow on the candy bar experience!!! And also, the ELO song. We are going to their Over and Out Tour in September!!!!

    You have (present tense!) a very special bond with your father, so that’s why you are receiving all of these signs. I’m so happy for you! XO

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m thinking about you, too! I think of you every time I see a CR-V on the road! 🖤

      NO WAY! I had no idea they were on tour!! I wonder if there are any dates near here…OMG, THEY HAVE TWO DATES IN CHICAGO.

      I’m so happy, too. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  12. We sold World’s Finest Chocolate bars for band. No one wanted to buy them. LOL. I’m so interested in why your experience was so different from mine.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m curious when you sold them because the bars I sold were thicker and didn’t look anything like these. Also, I think I’m older than you, so the bars I sold were from the mid-1980s.

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  14. So beautiful my friend and makes me feel so happy for you. Especially how your dad is reaching out to you through music, trains and other shared loves. He knows what is most meaningful to you. What will bring you comfort and joy. What a wonderful gift from your dad. He is still watching over you ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I really cherish these moments. I’ve discovered that maintaining a higher vibration helps me feel more connected. It might sound weird, but I truly believe it works. Essentially, the more I nurture my well-being here on earth (yoga, meditation, not being a d-bag to others), the closer I feel to my dad in another realm. I genuinely think this is a key to many things.🖤

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      1. Makes perfect sense to me (okay naybe not the vibration part but I never understand that phrase! That’s just me lol).

        I think when we slow down with things like Yoga or pay attention/listen, we make space & open up ourselves.

        And kindness makes sense too. Kindness has an easy inviting flow. Kindness is openess.

        It is like a soft gaze.
        The soft, open gaze sees more.
        It glimpses what is on the periphery.
        It is the same with our hearts.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I didn’t get it at first either. 😘❤️

        I completely agree. I’m still unable to fully meditate or practice the textbook definition of meditation. But, I’m learning that the way I do yoga or lay on an acupressure mat twice a day is a form of meditation. I didn’t even realize it. I was telling Ella and her friends the other night that video games have a meditative quality to them. They sometimes play them on their phones when they are with adults because they are uncomfortable. I started doing that when my dad was in the hospital to help me get through the most difficult parts of the cancer process.

        Kindness is openess. YES. Sew that onto a pillow.

        Kindness opens us up to so many amazing possibilities. ❤️

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  15. I’m not surprised that he is reaching out to you and it is so beautiful that you are actually seeing/feeling these things. I think for most of us it might go over our heads.
    The chocolate thing is crazy!
    By the way, I heard sunshine on my shoulders yesterday, and thought of both of you. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  16. It’s wonderful that you’re so tuned into his vibes, all vibes, that you aren’t feeling alone. I agree with the last quote, you have be aware that spiritually it’s all in front of you for a reason. In your case, a very warm reason.

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  17. the telephone line story gave me goosebumps. How special that you are getting signs from your dad. You shared a great connection and it makes sense that the connection is still intact.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Kari, I love that you’re receiving these virtual hugs from your Dad, and will admit to being quite envious. I’m experiencing lots of echoes, but they relate more to my difficult time with my mother and they seem to be blocking anything else. I know this is something I have to work through, but I’m very much looking forward to the good stuff being back.

    Much love from across the pond <3

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m truly sorry you’re going through this. Please know you’re not alone; I also feel this way sometimes. I’m sending you so much love and support from across the pond.😘❤️

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  19. Thank you for sharing all of these personal stories with us. I love hearing about these signs from your dad. I hope they’re comforting to you. {{hugs}}

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