Curating Connection

When Signs Find You After Sudden Loss—and Hope Returns

Kim Brazier Season 1 Episode 12

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0:00 | 33:14

In this episode of Curating Connection, we explore what it means to receive signs after sudden loss—and how synchronicity can begin to appear in unexpected ways during grief.

Dena shares her deeply personal story of losing her dog Buddy, her husband Wayne, and both of her parents, and how moments she couldn’t explain began to unfold after their passing.

A broken radio hissing at 4 a.m. and a rare image flashing on a TV at the exact same moment became one of many experiences that made her question whether connection continues beyond physical loss.

From butterflies, ravens, partridges, and loons in nature to meaningful songs, timing, and memory-triggered synchronicities, her journey explores how signs may show up when we are most open—or most in need of comfort.

We also discuss grief healing practices such as labyrinth walking, Reiki, and the emotional connection between memory, music, and shared places.

This conversation offers a grounded look at signs from loved ones, synchronicity meaning, and the possibility of continued connection after loss—without forcing interpretation, but staying open to what feels meaningful.

Sometimes the smallest signs carry the greatest sense of peace.


 🎧 Host: Kim Brazier

 💫 Connect with Kim: https://seethesignsbook.com
|                                         https://kimberlybrazier.com

📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimbrazier_


💌 Subscribe for updates, new episodes, and sign stories:                  https://seethesignsbook.com


 📘 Mentioned: See the Signs: Creating Belief, Providing Hope and Affirming Connection by Kimberly Brazier Order hereSee The Signs: creating belief, providing hope, affirming connection: Brazier, Kimberly: 9798218301231: Amazon.com: Books

Welcome And What Signs Mean

Speaker

Welcome, Dena. I am so excited to have you here today to share your sign stories from your husband, your dog, maybe your mom, your dad, and any other ones that you've had throughout the year.

Buddy’s Goodbye And A Healing Cat

Speaker 1

Well, thank you, Kim, for having me. Appreciate this. Yeah, signs. Um, they've always for the last 15 years, I've really been noticing them more. I had a teacher mentor that had a sign, a book about signs. And I even got a tattoo about what the book was, Love Never Ends in my family, just last year. So it just like it was perfect for what I I believe in. So it just my first one was that I really realized when I first realized was when my dog Buddy, I was going to Arizona with to be with my mom and dad, and buddy was looking at me. I gave him a big hug before I left, and it was like he looked back and said, My mom, I love you. I just like it was shattering because I knew he was getting close that I had promised my mom and dad, and I just like, and I know he didn't want me to be there. He was saving me, you know, so just anyway, so I got out there and we went to this rock shop, of course. And here there was a cat on the counter. And all of a sudden I just started patting and and it felt like okay, he wants Reiki. So I was giving him Reiki for the longest time. And the owner came in there and said, you know, that cat never lets anybody touch it. It was just crazy. And finally he got up and he had to go pee really bad. But anyway, it just like it helped me heal because I knew what was coming. I hadn't, I didn't know anything yet, but I know it was Buddy's way of helping me heal.

Speaker 2

Yeah.

Speaker 1

Through, you know, sharing that energy. It was sharing the energy with me and the cat, and Buddy was sharing it with us. And then I saw this rock right after that, and it's my buddy rock, it's blue kettle site, and it just it's about healing from a lot of it has to do with healing sorrow, it has to do with your heart chakra and everything. So just like I mean, I just looked that up. But you know, it just like that is his rock, you know, and it was just so perfect. And we went back to the campground two hours later and he had passed.

Speaker

Oh, he knew the timing that you would be surrounded in an environment that you loved and that you were able to transfer some of that energy. Isn't it funny how they know timing and choosing things?

Speaker 1

Yeah, they know completely the animals know more than we do by far. I mean, I think anyway. Because I mean, even then after that, you know, I had a hard time getting used to not having them that next summer, and then my parents came out and they never knew they knew kind of what a labyrinth was. And here all of a sudden they said, We're gonna help you build your labyrinth. And just like, and I wasn't able to go outside much because I always had Buddy with me before.

Speaker

Yeah.

Speaker 1

When we did this, and I just like it was so healing for my mom and dad and me. I mean, that was the closest I've ever been with them. And it was, I mean, it was perfect, you know, and I know he was a part of that too. It was just it was amazing.

Building A Labyrinth For Release

Speaker

Yeah, he was just up there, like nudging them along to help you finish that healing process. And Dina, can you share with some of the listeners today that may not know what a labyrinth is and how that can be beneficial for people?

Speaker 1

Yeah, the labyrinth you can it's like I have a big one outside. They have one, like a smaller one in May, in the you know, in the healing room. And but this one if they are for me, it's going in through the path. And it's not it's you can only go in one way and you can only come out one. And for me, going in, I'm praying to release anything that needs to be released in my life, or you know, if I'm praying for somebody else or any, you know. And then in the middle, just leaving it all there and coming out is really is it's gone, it's released, and you're free of hopefully, you know, whatever you want to believe. But it's just a nice meditational walk, prayer meditation.

Speaker

So and yours is structured with rocks making a certain path, correct?

Speaker 1

Yeah. Yeah. And a lot of the rocks I got with mom and dad that winter I went out in Arizona in the in the desert. So that's just like full. Full circle. Pretty cool. Yeah.

Speaker

Full circle for that. And it's so interesting how our pets not only connect us, not only are connected to us, but our loved ones. And like Buddy was really doing curating that connection between your parents as you were going through something, right? Yeah. And now you have that beautiful labyrinth in your yard for others to enjoy and for to you to remember now that you're both your parents are gone.

Speaker 1

Yeah. Yeah. And now what an amazing thing.

Speaker

Right? Yeah.

Finding Lucy Through Synchronicity

Speaker 1

Yeah. No, I just really, it's really helped me a lot. And it's helped so many people, you know, along the way. But so then, yeah, buddy, that next year, buddy, he was still working. And I went to a rummage sale out at the Humane Society. And yeah, I just went to the rummage sale. It was gonna be just look around there, and then I thought I'll just go say hi to the dogs because I had this high list of I'm never giving a dog unless it's this, this, this, this, and this.

Speaker

Oh, you put your order into the universe. You know, I did. And I showed.

Speaker 1

But it was it was perfect. Because I went and I petted every dog there was and just like the last one. Okay. There's Lucy sitting in there. She hadn't even been up for adoption yet. She'd just gotten there. Of course. Yep. So I mean, otherwise she would have been taken right away. So they said, why don't you just take her out for a walk, you know, in the grass there and stuff. Right away, we got out there. She rolled over and wanted me to bet, pet her belly, and just like, and then I said, Well, has she ever been in the country? Or, you know, I said we have a range or does she want to go on that? Everything on that list was on her paper.

Speaker

No.

Speaker 1

Yeah. It just like, okay, buddy. And she was born the year buddy passed.

Speaker

Okay, guys. That is not a coincidence. That's a connection from beyond. Yeah. Right?

Speaker 1

Yep. Yep. It just like, okay. Yeah, she was two years old. And it's like she was supposed to call Dwayne up. So what would you think about adopting a Saint Bernard? What? I mean, I went for groceries. But and he just he was all for it, you know, and it's like, so yeah, we adopted our little puppy.

Speaker 2

A big puppy with a big heart. Right.

Speaker 1

But I mean, I know Buddy had. He was all part of that. So I yeah, so he was a big part.

Butterflies, Ravens, And Staying Open

Speaker

I think a lot of our animal lovers friends know that connection continues on. Earlier podcasts, Maureen had shared about her dog and the signs and the signs that she had from beyond, and actually helped a lot align her with a new puppy that she wasn't expected. So I think there's little matchmakers laying their space filled because they know how much love you can give them. That's amazing. That is so amazing what our animal friends can do for us.

Speaker 1

Yeah. And even when we ride out on the range or where we buried them, every time there'd always be two butterflies that would greet us out there. And then also a raven would he'd be squawking all over, you know, all over the time. But there wasn't once. He wasn't, they weren't there.

unknown

Oh.

Speaker 1

He was always with us. Always.

Speaker

I really think that you're demonstrating to everyone listening today that if you're paying attention, yeah, like you're noticing those signs, right? With Buddy out there, the two butterflies in a rave. And some people might not even realize that that is continuing to happen every time. So I guess the message would be really to slow down and take notice.

Speaker 1

Yeah. And I mean, I don't even lots of times. It's just like now I just like where where is it? You know, if you're really looking for it, it's not gonna show up. You know, lots of times, you know. Right. It's but you have to be open to it. So yeah.

Speaker

Be open, be open. Yeah.

Wayne’s Radio Sign And Angel Image

Speaker 1

So yeah, and then well now, Wayne. Um he passed away in October 2020. That night before he uh before we got ready for the family service. We were getting things on the table. We had this little radio, and we could not, it was one of his prize little things he liked that we got at Disney World. So we brought one to put that out, and we were trying to get at work, and we put different batteries in, it did not work at all. So, but we thought, oh, it'll be just for show anyway. So we put that on our lithium. So anyway, I went to bed that night, and about 4 a.m., all of a sudden the static came out of this radio, and just like okay, and I was the only one out in the living room. I was that's where I sleep in my chair, and the static came on, and then I looked at the TV. I always have meditation or sleeping music on the TV, and there was this picture of this man with angel wings, and he's holding a woman dancing, and just like he's always with me, you know, it just like that was a big, a big one, and I haven't seen that picture, and I watch, I mean, I have it on every night, and then just like it hasn't been on in five years, you know, on anything, and just like it's it was a huge sign because and he knew I believed in the signs.

Speaker

So just like yeah, just like okay, thank you, but you didn't have to do it this way, but how did you feel when you saw that? And you heard the static.

Speaker 1

I was freaked out. You know, I first just like I mean, I had I it was a I never expected it. It was really crazy. Just I didn't even believe it for the first. If I hadn't taken that picture and everything to remind me that, you know, because that first month is just a blur. Absolutely. It just I wouldn't even know, remembered it, but it just he made sure I knew. You know, and I would remember it.

Speaker

That electrical interference, right? When nothing was working, you said you changed batteries numerous times, you couldn't get it to happen.

Speaker 1

Yep.

Speaker

It comes on, and then simultaneously on the TV is this gorgeous, gorgeous picture, and I will um post this as well so everyone can see of a gentleman with angel wings with wings, right? Dancing, as you said, and then kind of the moon and like the starlit sky behind him. And it's certainly showing that he has his angel wings. Yeah. And he's always gonna be right alongside you, right? Right in right in his spear still.

Speaker 1

Yeah, and we couldn't get the radar to work after that either. We tried, but it would not work anymore.

Speaker

I love these stories because we can never explain them, right?

Speaker 1

Yeah.

Speaker

There is something magical about the connection that continues on that is unexplainable at times.

Speaker 1

Yep.

Speaker

It never ends.

Speaker 1

I mean, uh like the love never ends.

Speaker

The love never ends, for sure. I I think that it also is so interesting to me that it was really quickly after his passing. And I feel like it almost is like the a sign that I'm okay, so that you can kind of step forward too, right? Yeah. I wonder what you might have felt like if you would have never received a sign so quickly.

Speaker 1

Yeah, because usually you don't get them that quickly. You know, I mean it takes a long time. I mean sometimes, you know, sometimes it does, but and for how uh you know, he went so fat, you know. It just was in an instant. So I just like yeah, I would have never known what to even think. I mean, this helped me big time, you know, just to know he was still with me in a way.

Speaker

Yeah.

Speaker 1

You know.

Speaker

I know I lost my mom unexpectedly and wasn't there, neither were you at the last minutes with your husband. And there is something different about that than a more gradual passing. They're both dramatic, right? They're both sorrow-worthy, grieve-worthy. But I am really happy that you had some type of confirmation that he got his wing.

Speaker 1

Yeah. So it's it was a big confirmation for me. So is there any as you always wonder.

Speaker

Yeah, you do, right?

Speaker 1

You don't you have no idea what's on the other side, you know, really, but you always hope it's what you've been told and taught. And so yeah.

Music As A Path For Signs

Speaker

For others that maybe are grieving the loss of a spouse, which I'm sure never goes away. Do you have any insight about how they could watch for signs or how they could get through grief?

Speaker 1

It's never ending, but it it changes. For me, I mean he's in so many signs. I mean, music is a big one for him. I mean, whatever if you there was something that a person had that they really what is it, they really like to do together or whatever, that's where they're gonna hit. And a lot of times they're gonna hit there. I mean, like the one time with Wayne, I was going, it was the first time I ever went to work at the greenhouse. And he had told my kids a couple days before he passed, he said, Oh, it's so cute how you always or how she always I didn't hear this until after, but yeah, how she always does the drum solo on the steering wheel or wherever we're at when we s hear that song by Phil Collins in the air tonight. Oh yeah. Yeah, and I always did the drum solo. Just like, you know, I was gonna stab at it. I think he had told the kids that before. And just like the first the first couple days I went to work, that was a song on the radio. I just like actually after those first couple days, I couldn't listen for a while. You know, because it was hard. Yes, you know, and just like, but it also let me know, yeah, he's watching me and I did the drum solo for him.

Speaker

I love that you continue to drum solo for him, but yeah, it can be a little bit shocking, right? And emotional when you do receive a sign as well.

Speaker 1

Yeah. Yeah. A lot of Israel music. So whatever you have in had in common with that, you know, or what meant a lot to them, it's gonna show up somehow for the for you. And I don't know.

Speaker

I think that's really good advice, Dina, uh, for you to share with everyone is that maybe look for some commonalities of things that you did together or places that you were at together, or maybe just things that your loved one enjoyed. And that may be where you'll unexpectedly receive your sign.

Speaker 1

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's a big one too, is the movie Ghost. Oh that ontained melody. The first time I heard that. That was a tough one. It just like I never really realized. I mean, I loved the scene in Ghost, you know, where they had the powder, pottery wheel and stuff. But just when I saw that for the first time, the video, it just like, wow. It just like that is real. I mean, it can happen, you know, it feels like that. Yeah, you know, it can feel like that. And I mean, that's another way to feel it, you know. It's just another way. So there was he also liked his favorite video for MTV was Take on Me. Oh, I know that sounds and it's like I never really listened to the you know, he was always listening to music, so half the time I wasn't even there. But you know, but it just like, and then after I was watching the video and everything, just like, wow, this is like him leaving me, you know, how it was, and just like so. Now it just like that song really has a big effect on, you know, too. And just like whenever I see the video, especially, just like it's crazy, you know.

Speaker

Isn't it interesting how things can be right in front of us and we interpret them one way, and then we've got a life change, and something so much deeper comes out and forward from it?

Speaker 1

Completely, yeah. Yeah, no, yeah, it's it changes a lot of that, yeah.

Speaker

Yeah. And music is so cathartic and healing and uplifting and inspiring at the same time. So I love that there's so many different facets of it that comes through that, right? Yeah. I mean, the emotional, whether you know, it's the tears or the confirmation um that you're receiving.

Speaker 1

Yeah. You can cry, you can laugh, you can I mean you'll have every feeling there is.

Speaker

Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

Nature Speaks Through A Partridge

Speaker 1

You know. So yeah, that was those were the big ones. Those are the big ones on him, you know. He just, I mean, there's always the coins. Uh oh, we've got a partridge in the back of our place. Sorry. Yeah, let's hear about the partridge. I cleared out this little space back. He had planted some pine trees about 15 years ago. So I just clearing out this one place where they were kind of getting too much grush and stuff. So I cleared that place out. And I went back there a couple days later, and here this partridge came out. And we always had said, that's Henry. You know, Henry was our partridge. Exactly. It's probably not the same one, but yeah, that was our Henry. You know, every time we see a partridge back, like there's always only one. And here he came out of that spot. And I mean, usually he was up closer to the house, but here he was back on my trail, and he came out of that spot. Here comes Henry walking right out, and he just stood there, looked at me. Just like, okay, yeah, I get it. Right? So that's cool. You know, I love the wildlife and everything, you know. I mean, it can all of it speaks to a person if you let it. So trees, everything, you know.

Speaker

Everything speaks to you if you let it.

Speaker 1

Yeah. Yep.

Speaker

Yeah, just pause with that for a moment, you guys, and take that in as you're kind of going throughout your day. And if you get into periods of chaos, right, in life, just pause and just let everything speak to you. Nature is so amazing, isn't it? Yeah.

Speaker 1

Yeah. No, I I nature is a big one for me. I just think I gotta if I need to ground or just if I'm going nuts in the house, I get outside.

Mom’s Songs And Dad’s Farewell Signs

Speaker

I know. So there's Dina, I know we have a lot of things in common when it comes to, you know, kind of our spiritual thoughts, but we also both have joined a club that I don't really like it being a club, but our both of our parents have passed away. Yeah. And close to the same time. Yeah. And that my mom's passing led me to getting my book out and published, see the signs. And I know you have some things to share about your mom passing away with us.

Speaker 1

Yeah. Mom passed away two years after Wayne. She had made a CD. She loved singing. That was her passion. So I mean, that's she shows up a lot, but the f One day I it was the day before well her birthday's in October, so it was that following October after she passed. It was the day before her birthday. I walked into work. Here a bridge over troubled waters was playing. And that was one of them on her Sadie. I just like that that when I lost it on. You know. I can see why. Yeah. You know, but I just like, yeah, she just all her songs, it just like she plays. I mean, all of a sudden, I mean, I can put rock on my, you know, 80s rock or something. And all of a sudden, here comes Amazing Grace or one day at a time. Okay, Mom. You know. Quit changing up the music again. I know you're here. Just like, are you serious? It's like, I know. I know you're thinking of me, you know. And just like, it just like she really, I mean, she loved her music, and that's mainly what she has shown up for me. And then uh when dad passed, we were clearing out the house, and I found this letter from her. And it was just a little note, you know, when she had the dementia, she was starting to just write things and she was wrote about, you know, dear, do you know this is you know, you mean so much to me, and you were so loved, and just like, oh, you know, but I mean that meant everything to me. Yeah, just you know, when dad passed, it just I know they were together then, and just like, you know, it's all right. You know, she was letting me know, you know, she's proud of me and I can do this. So keep going.

Speaker

Oh man. That's such a nice surprise to find and confirmation, right? That that just that you're loved.

Speaker 1

Yeah.

Speaker

Really, that's just it. And coming from a parent who gives you unconditional love.

Speaker 1

Yeah.

Speaker

And especially as you saw her probably go through periods where she wasn't able to express that. Yeah. To see that in her handwritten. It just means so much, right?

Speaker 1

It does. Because I mean, yeah, she had such a hard time, you know, with that dementia that's what was that on anybody, but it just like you could tell that it was, you know, then because you know her thoughts were scattered, but she knew that.

Speaker

Yeah.

Speaker 1

You know. And just like, yeah, I'll never I'll have that forever, you know. Absolutely. But then, so yeah, and dad passed away two years after her. And so, but uh, I had gone to the I was going through there to go to a friend's in Wisconsin, and I thought, okay, I'm gonna go through Grand Rapids, so I'm gonna stop at Dad's favorite Chinese restaurant. Every time I went to visit him after mom passed, we had to go there. And so we I stopped there, got uh one to go, and they actually put two fortune cookies in there. So I went to the cemetery and figured out, okay, I'm gonna eat with them, you know, and uh fortune cookies, it just like okay, those were perfect. The word they just one was about being adventurous, and the other one is to you are going to have success if you persevere. And just like perseverance and adventure, that's what I wanted. You know, just like how do you get, you know, right? Sometimes you don't feel like you can get there. But so yeah, it was awesome. But then I went, so then from this did that with them, and then went to the uh there was a campground just two lots away from their house. So I thought, well, I don't want to go in to there where they're living because somebody else is living there. So I just went down there and went out on the dock. There's a lake there and went down the dock and looked at down at their place, and I thought, someone dad, what's my sign's gonna be? Are you gonna give me anything? I'm just like, nothing. I was so upset. Just not upset, but I just like, well, that stays, you know. But I just like then I went back and was getting in the car and here, two loons started up. And that was one thing they loved. They loved their loons, going out every morning, every night, and hearing their loons. And when I'm there, they we always did that. And just like, oh, there they are, you know, and I didn't see them out there when I was out there on the dock or anything, and just like, oh, I love that sound, you know. And just like, I mean, that had that was them because they were nowhere to be seen, you know, when it was so they came for for that, and just like I just that meant a lot to me. So anyway, just not much. I mean, there's just there's too many signs. I mean, I've told you a bunch of signs, and I don't remember half of them or any of them.

Belief, Grandkids, And Final Wisdom

Speaker

Yeah. Well, I think it's so amazing that even like in a moment of disappointment or frustration, because I've been there, like, where's my sign? Like, I need a sign today. Yeah, I never get them when I say I need them. Or rarely, right? Rarely. But then the specifics of the two loons wasn't just one loon, it wasn't four loons, it was two loons that appeared for you. Something you guys did together. Yeah, and it probably wasn't even morning or night that you saw. It was just Oh no, this was midday. Yeah, right. So I love it how just unexpectedly we can get signs. And as you've kind of shared today, they come in all shapes, forms, yeah, but yet they're all affirming that connection.

Speaker 1

Yeah.

Speaker

For anyone that's not receiving a sign right now, or isn't really still thinking that there is signs there for them, what would you say?

Speaker 1

I mean, I really think I mean God's the one that is doing this for us. So we know that we aren't ever, you know, he's he's always with us, but he's also letting us know our loved ones are always with us. And it's just like, um but we have to believe. You know, otherwise, yeah, we're not gonna notice anything. And it's like, I mean, that's what gets me hope to keep on going. And I mean, the hope for even my grandkids, I mean, my ch children are seeing you know, signs now, and my grandkids and my new little boy, he's gonna be sh he's gonna be showing all these signs. And I mean, I know Wayne's part of that. Yeah. Big time. I mean, there's been things with him too, you know, with Wayne, it's just like there when he first when they first told my mother-in-law that there was gonna be a new baby, they went and took a picture, and here all of a sudden there was a bee flying. And she the Zach's girlfriend said, There's a bee. And there was actually a picture of a bee in the back of the picture, but then that was gone after. But then there was also a buzzing before. I mean, yeah, it was it was crazy. You know, so but it's just you never expect, you never know when to expect anything. But I know this little one, and he's he's got grandpa right by them.

Speaker

You know, so that new life is right around the corner for you. I'm so excited to hear how all of that unfolds.

Speaker 2

Yeah.

Speaker

And as we have to go through the transition of our loved ones from this body into another realm or being, right? I know you are sharing signs with your generations, your kids, your grandchildren. And that's what I'm getting from my grandchildren too. And actually, I feel like they just do it and see it with such ease.

Speaker 2

Yeah.

Speaker

They just they don't even think twice about it. I just got a picture from my daughter the other day that was my granddaughter with a little white feather and says, Hi grandma. Yeah. So it was so cute because my mom, that's what I associated with her. So and I can't wait to hear how this new little one brings signs forward in your life.

Speaker 1

Yeah.

Speaker

Even as he is a sign.

Speaker 1

Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Speaker

And your fortune cookie of perseverance really is a great thing for people to remember. Is it even if you can't persevere, what it seems like in this moment, uh, as you lose someone, uh I don't know, start out with just a minute or two or five minutes or day by day, eventually.

Speaker 1

Yeah, it's it's a never-ending, you know, yes process.

Speaker

So and good days and bad days. But when you need a little pick me up, come back to these podcast episodes and listen, and maybe you will see the evidence that's around you. One last question for you, Dina. What are you curating connection with in your life right now?

Speaker 2

I don't know.

Speaker 1

I mean, I want to eventually I want to get back into doing more of my Reiki and my access bars and everything. So trying to get back into that. And and of course, but I gotta do a lot of rock hunting and playing with my crystals and stuff.

Speaker

So get those crystals going, yeah. Get that energy healing moving again. So any last words, wise words to wisdom for our listeners today?

Speaker 1

No, just don't give up. Keep on look you know, paying attention, open your eyes and even ears, everything, you know, just be present.

Speaker

You heard it. Be present. Until next time, keep seeking the signs. Thank you, Q.