Thank you to Darrin and Angie Niemeier for sharing their story about a sign they believe is from their young daughter Shayla, who died in 2007. This story is a classic example of a sign, where a deceased loved one communicates through a living creature with loved ones here on earth. 

Dear Mitch, 

My husband, Darrin, and I were just at the TCF National Conference where we attended a couple of your workshops and a sharing session. First, let me just say that you moved both of us and your words were so very comforting. Our only daughter, Shayla, was 2 ½ years old when she passed away in January, 2007. Yesterday, as we were driving home from the conference we were discussing how you said that if you want a sign you just have to ask for one. We were discussing how sometimes we think something might be a sign but sometimes we are not sure. Darrin then asked for a sign from Shayla. He said he wanted Shayla to give him something that would be an obvious sign but he did not know what it could be. 

 Later, on our drive home, a commercial came on the radio about adopting cats from a pet refuge. Darrin and I then had a conversation about how I had wanted to get a cat for Shayla before she passed away. Darrin said that “Pee-Wee” (one of our many nicknames for Shayla) would not have wanted a cat. I asked him, "Did you ever ask her if she wanted a cat? Did she tell you she didn't want a cat?" Darrin said, “Well, no. I guess I didn't. I just knew that if I asked, she would say yes, and then we would have to get a cat.” That was about the end of our conversation and at that point we were almost home.  

Yesterday was also Shayla's birthday. She would have been four-years-old. We went straight to the cemetery when we got home to meet some of our family there and release balloons for Shaylas’ birthday. When we got to the cemetery and got out of the car our two nieces were there and they started yelling at us, "Darrin, Angie look there is a cat here!" Darrin's brother was there first, by himself. He said he was sitting there waiting and this little white cat just showed up on Shayla's grave and was just laying there. The cat stayed there and would just walk around and then lay back down on her grave again. The cat let us pet her and she was there the entire time that we were there. This really meant a lot to us, especially since it happened on her birthday. Thanks for taking the time to read this letter.

Darrin and Angie Niemeier Kansas City, MO