Signs from my mum

Since my mum passed away last year, I have felt her presence in different and sometimes unexpected ways.

I have dreamt of mum at least three times. Each time, she is happy and smiling (to me, a clear sign she is at peace), but she has never spoken.

In my waking moments, out of nowhere, I will hear mum’s voice in my head, saying something funny, or I’ll remember something funny she used to do. She still makes me laugh even now.

Other things have happened that I cannot otherwise explain…

I was cooking dinner one night, and through the cooking smell (which was quite strong), I distinctly smelled mum’s favourite perfume. I didn’t own that perfume, or have it in my home. I even went to my apartment door to see if the scent had come through it… it hadn’t.

One night a few months ago, I felt a hand touch my arm in my sleep. When I opened my eyes, I saw no one.

The latest was last night. I searched a music app on my phone for an Egyptian singer, Om Kolthoum, but I didn’t play any track. I haven’t been able to listen to her music since mum passed away: we had always listened to her together. With the app open on my phone, I was watching a show on my tablet, using my headphones. When I paused the show, a song of Om Kolthoum’s started to play on its own. I listened to it before I went to sleep. And I was OK.

I hope there are many more signs that mama is near to me. I know she is — whether I notice the signs or not — but I’m grateful for them anyway.