The last few months have been some of the most challenging of my life.
My husband Joe died on April 21st of this year. It was my 68th birthday. 

He hadn’t been feeling well for quite a while and had been seeing his doctor to explore why he felt “off.” Although he underwent many tests, we weren’t expecting the diagnosis he received during a visit to the Emergency Room: stage four cancer. It had already spread to several organs, leaving us with few options. 

We were devastated. 

Joe was diagnosed on April 4th and passed just 18 days later. Those days were a whirlwind of tests, difficult conversations, and, finally, four precious days of hospice care at home. 

Two days after his Celebration of Life, something strange happened. 

I was in the kitchen, putting away items we’d used at the gathering. On the counter was an old battery-operated digital clock that had belonged to my sister. The battery had been dead for years, but my sister swore the alarm had gone off the morning of Joe’s celebration. The clock had been buried in her dresser drawer, and it took her a few minutes to even figure out where the noise was coming from. She brought me the clock and told me the story.

Alone in the kitchen, I smiled and said aloud, “OK honey… feel free to use the clock to send me a message. I love you! I miss you so much!” Then I went back to work, glancing at the clock now and then. 

For hours—nothing. 

Still, I said, “Come on, baby… give me a sign.”

Nothing. 

Later, I noticed faint lines beginning to appear. He was trying! 

“Good job, babe! Keep going!” I said. 

About an hour later, I looked again. This time, I clearly saw 6:37. I was ecstatic! Joe knew I loved numbers and looked up the meanings of the ones that caught my eye. 

I quickly Googled “637” and let out an audible gasp: “In internet slang, 637 typically represents ‘always and forever.’” 

There were spiritual meanings too, but I didn’t need them. 

I had my message.
His love for me lives on—always and forever. 

And in that moment, I understood: the love Joe and I share is a reflection of the greater, eternal Love that surrounds us, supports us, IS the core of each one of us. Divine Love is always and forever present.  

The clock continued working for about a day before going dark again. The screen remains blank, but that’s OK with me.  

I received my love note from beyond the grave.