I have a fun story to share

Last week, I listened to Oprah interviewing Laura Lynne Jackson, a psychic medium and author of “Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe.” I’ve always been intrigued by the spirit world; that said, I’m NOT religious. Can you be one without the other? Absolutely. You can be spiritually curious without any formal belief system, and that’s very much where I land. Not that I’m polishing up my Ouija board just yet. Anyhow, their conversation focused on “signs”—ways of communicating with loved ones on the other side—and how to stay open to them.

For me, it started shortly after my dad passed away 30 years ago, when I began noticing signs—specifically numbers. As you do when you’re missing someone, I started talking to him and asking him questions. As a last resort, I’d even plead with him to show me an 11:11 (IYKYK) if I should go through with something. It became our way of communicating. Yes, it’s woo-woo, and you have to be open to it—but when you see it and recognize it, that’s where the magic is.

So back to Oprah…

Before my mom passed away a year ago, I joked with her, “What’s our sign?” I wanted to be able to communicate with her from the other side. Too weird? Maybe—but I didn’t care. We ended up choosing flickering lights, which she’s shown me on several occasions, and 11:11, which has become pretty common for me these days.

But here’s where the story gets fun. After listening to this episode, Laura Lynne suggests asking for something unique—not something generic like a dog walking down the street. Instead, choose something unexpected: an elephant, maybe a purple one, or a pink dolphin. You get the gist. So that’s what I did. I asked for something unmistakable because I needed my mom’s confirmation that all my hard work would pay off. So I asked her for a purple elephant.

A couple of days later, I went to an art exhibit where you wander from one room to the next, visiting each artist. It was a colourful display of pins that drew us in, and as we walked towards the next room, I could hardly believe what I saw.

Elephants

Not just one, but an entire room of them, displayed beautifully and photographed by my close friend Nikki Baxendale from a recent trip to Nepal.

I didn’t get a literal purple elephant, but the photos had a pinky hue… close enough? I think so. I got something far better: I asked for reassurance, a nudge, or a wink from my mom or the universe… and I stayed open long enough to notice when it arrived.

First sign:

A room full of elephant photographs. I didn’t wander into a painting of a tree or a vase of flowers. I walked straight into an entire herd. Close enough to purple? Honestly, probably closer than most people get.

Second sign:

My friend, the artist who took those photos, immediately told me to read Let the Elephants Run, a book about dreaming big. She’d used it for years as creative inspiration when leading design teams, and now she works as an environmental artist, giving back to help elephants. The fact that she was the one to tell me about it, right after I shared my elephant story… that felt like a full-circle moment.

Third sign:

And then — because the universe has a sense of humour — I was watching TV last night, and the episode title popped up: “The Elephant in the Room.”
I mean… come on.

That’s not random. That’s alignment.

Signs aren’t magic tricks. They’re patterns, synchronicities, little moments that stack up and whisper: Pay attention. This matters.

So what does it all mean?

• I’m on the right path.
• My mom heard me, in whatever way feels true to me.
• My creativity is waking up, expanding, and taking shape.
• And the universe is basically tapping me on the shoulder, saying, Keep going. You’re not imagining this.

And honestly? Elephants are symbols of strength, memory, wisdom, and perseverance. They’re slow and steady, but unstoppable. They don’t rush, but they always get where they’re going.

That’s me 😃

So I’m choosing to take these signs as encouragement. Not pressure. Not a burden. Just gentle confirmation that I’m headed in the right direction, and that the work I’m doing matters.

And maybe… just maybe… my mom found the most delightful way to say,
“I see you. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Oh, and by the way…I’ve already ordered the book “Let the Elephants Run.”

Nikki’s stunning photos are available here