My cousin Carol invited me to the Philadelphia flower show in 2018 and it was wonderful. The night before the show I had a dream about a little girl. I was seated in a rocking chair and this child was passing me by as a toddler, then as a young child, and it became a blur when she tried to pass in the next phase of her life. I woke up screaming the name, Sara.
The next day I entered the flower show at the Convention Center. Carol and I planned to meet at one of the entrances. I arrived first and I was attracted to a table near the entrance that had a sign that read “Sara’s Smiles.”
I approached the table where two women were accepting donations. One of the women told me that Sara was a child who had died from cancer when she was five. She then pointed to the other woman and said that this was the child’s mother. She continued to say that Sara was a sweet child and she always had a smile for everyone, especially for the other children in the hospital who were also suffering from cancer.
I felt that my dream of Sara was more than a coincidence. I debated with myself whether to tell this woman about my dream. I didn’t want her to think that I was some kind of crazy person. I decided to go for it, and surprisingly she was comfortable hearing about my dream. She seemed to think that this was a true encounter with the child. I wondered if she would tell Sara’s mother about me.
When my cousin Carol found me, she noticed that I looked dazed. I told her about my dream and how it seemed that this little girl’s spirit called to me. Carol reminded me that I had expressed to her recently my desire to do something meaningful in a new job and she thought that maybe Sara’s Smiles was it.
We moved away from the table and made our journey through the main hall where flowers, plants, and trees welcomed us in their full display of beauty. At times I felt like we were moving through a winding path where stories unfolded before us, each with its own theme from zen structures to gingerbread houses. All the while, the story of Sara was with me.
Days later, I researched Sara’s Smiles online and read that the organization was founded by Sara’s mother to honor her daughter’s memory. She assembles items in baskets that are shipped to children in hospitals. These baskets bring joy to the children.
As I was learning about Sara’s Smiles, I received a Facebook notification that the son of someone I knew was in Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital suffering from a rare form of cancer. The post read that even though this young boy was in severe pain, he always had a smile to share with his parents, the hospital staff, and the other children. I immediately thought of contacting Sara’s Smiles to send a basket to this little boy.
I was surprised when Sara’s mom answered the phone - I had expected an assistant. Once again, I felt like sharing my dream but I didn’t want to hurt her in any way. As she spoke, I felt more confident that she was the kind of person who would be receptive to hearing what I had to tell her.
Sara’s mom was not surprised that Sara came to me in my dream. She and her husband have been told by others that they had similar experiences. These people knew Sara. I was the first person who did not know Sara. She thanked me for letting her know about this connection to her beloved daughter and that she and her husband would continue to find solace in knowing that Sara’s spirit is still near.
I proceeded to go through the process of ordering a basket for my friend’s son and when I gave Sara’s mom my address, we realized I lived up the road from her. She suggested that I come by her house and there would be an envelope in her mailbox with some forms to complete.
As I drove up to the house where Sara once lived, I was struck by the beautiful landscaping that surrounded this mansion on a hill. I walked to the mailbox and the literature was there as promised. I didn’t meet Sara’s mom that day. I peeked inside the envelope that had a large card where I could write a note. There was a list as well with suggestions of what to write to the child if I needed them - all were affirming, supportive, and beautifully written.
I brought the card to work where my co-workers also knew the father of the sick child. They were eager to be part of this gesture to comfort a family in distress. I returned to the house where I intended to drop the envelope in the mailbox when Sara’s mom greeted me in the driveway. I complimented her on the beauty surrounding her lovely home. She told me that her husband had a landscaping business and he was a major supporter of the flower show.
We stood for a while outside the house. Sara’s mom confided in me that day. The charity was having growing pains and she was afraid that she was not up to the task of filling all the basket orders. She had a lot going on in her life. I let her know that I would be interested if she wanted to hire someone to help her with this important endeavor. I also reassured her that I didn’t want her to think I was only interested in creating a job for myself but I had to offer since it may have been the message Sara wanted me to convey.
After that day, the basket was shipped to the hospital, I paid the invoice. We said we would meet for coffee but I never saw her again.
I often wonder why did this happen?
Was it that Sara wanted her mother to know to continue this work?
Maybe it wasn’t Sara’s spirit that visited me, but in my dream state, I sensed Sara’s mom’s longing for her daughter and I screamed out for Sara.
But maybe it was simple as if I hadn’t had that dream, I would have walked by the table at the flower show and I would have never recognized the name. Seeing her name led me to the sick boy who was a lot like Sara. He has that spirit that is both gentle and courageous. Could it be that his smile continues to keep Sara’s work alive - the work that heals children in pain?
Today my friend’s son is enjoying his life thanks to the work of the folks at Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital and maybe some help from a sweet spirit on the other side.
Sara’s Smiles is still in operation.
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with good intent,
Regina
"Sara Smiled" made my heart skip a beat. This telltale resonates my currenting learning of Kaballah. Every story goes deep to the soul. Be well.
Thanks for the reminder that God is always communicating with us. We need to listen.