The Fox

A few years ago I had the most vivid dream about Mikael. In the dream I was walking down a trail and came upon a group of children. They advised me that there was a fork in the trail up ahead and that I should take the path to the left. I took the path suggested and as I walked along, Mikael approached me and began to walk with me. He was wearing his burgundy hoody and usual baseball cap. As we walked together, we were joined by my husband Tim, my other son Davis and his wife Carollyn and my two granddaughters. We walked companionably beside one another just enjoying being together. Then, Mikael stopped us and he turned to me and told me that he had to go on ahead because he had work to do. He let me know that I would get to where he was someday and that when I got there, I would find him. And then he walked on ahead of us and disappeared up the trail.  The dream felt so incredibly real and I woke up with such an assurance that God had made me a promise that Mikael was with him, doing his work and that I would indeed see him again.

Now fast forward a few years. A number of days ago, while out for my regular morning walk, a small fox appeared on the side of the road up ahead of me. Now, this isn't the first time a fox has been on the road while I was walking but normally, once they see me walking towards them, they zip off into the bush. But not this little mister! He watched me walk towards him, getting closer and closer until I was only about 30 feet away from him. And then, he turned and trotted along the side of the road, just up ahead of me. He was so relaxed! At one point, he crossed the road and walked along the other side, keeping pace with me. This went on for about 10 minutes until he crossed over directly in front of me, went into the ditch and then came out and sat about 10 feet away from me. We spent several minutes just looking at each other until I finally proceeded with my walk. Little fox followed me down the road for another 5 minutes before finally deciding to carry on with his day and headed off into the trees.

This encounter was such a gift! I know this little fox was just a fox, nothing more, but the circumstances were so unusual I simply couldn't help but wonder if God was trying to teach me something. Or remind me of something. The actions of this fox were so parallel to the dream I had two years ago and I thought God was reminding me of his promise to me in that dream. Although Fall is my favourite season, as it approaches I brace myself for the difficult days to come. Mikael died in November and I find the days leading up to November 27th weigh on me in a way that is difficult to explain. And so, a reminder of this wonderful promise is very timely; "Mom, I'll be up ahead but when you get here, you'll find me." I will indeed!

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