Wings of Love: How a Fighter Pilot's Spirit Reached Out

Have you ever experienced the comforting touch of a loved one, even after they've passed away? Join me, Jay Lane, on a heartwarming journey through New York City, where amidst the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, I felt the undeniable presence of my late father-in-law through a series of extraordinary signs. From a checkerboard umbrella and a chessboard briefcase to an uncanny encounter with Chubby Checker himself, each sign was a beacon of his enduring love and guidance, helping me find solace in my grief and rekindle my hope. This episode is a testament to the undying connection we share with those we've lost, and the incredible ways they can still touch our lives.

We also walk alongside Brad in his quest for signs of his father's spirit, discovering how checkered flags and other poignant reminders can lighten the heaviest of hearts. As Brad navigates his path toward healing, these symbols become touchstones of his father's vibrant spirit, offering comfort and reassurance. Through these touching narratives, we uncover the powerful themes of grief, memory, and the solace found in recognizing the signs from our departed loved ones. Tune in for an emotional exploration that showcases the healing power of love that transcends life and death. Thank you for listening, and may you find peace and hope in these shared stories. For more about me, visit my website or follow me on social media.

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Chapters

• 0:01 Journey Through Signs of Love
• 12:20 A Journey of Healing and Connection

Transcript

Jay Lane: 0:01

Get ready to be captivated and intrigued as we delve into my life of spirits and all things paranormal. Join me, your host, jay Lane, on the Laneway to Spirit, as I share my stories and personal experiences in the hopes of inspiring others to explore their own spirituality. Grab your favorite mug and settle in and let's get started. Spirit signs can sometimes be so subtle that we imagine that they are just mere coincidences, but I'm hoping that the two stories I will share with you today will shed some light on these really not being coincidental, but actually being signs from spirit. And, of course, we second guess ourselves and sometimes we think that we're just imagining these things, but I'm here to tell you that we're not Now. It was a really, really cold day in New York City. It was January and when I stepped out of the taxi it was cold. It was really icy cold. And I love New York City. It pulses with life, it has these colorful billboards flashing everywhere and I love the hum of conversation blending into that urban sound. And I had been invited to perform a series of mediumship shows in the Hell's Kitchen area of New York City and I was super excited about it, but maybe under some other circumstances, because I was suffering the weight of a loss which really tugged at my heart, because just a few months before, my father-in-law, who was a very proud fighter pilot with the RCAF 441 Checkerboard Squadron, had passed away. And he was a man of strength, he was a man of resilience, he was so full of stories about his flights and adventures and I always admired his spirit, but now all I felt was an emptiness that really gnawed at me. And so the first night that I did the show, it was super amazing, it was electric, and as I walked out onto the stage the lights were blinding me just for a moment. So I had to steady myself. I had to really remind myself of my purpose, because I'd never done any events in New York City, so I was a little bit nervous. So I closed my eyes and I was reaching deep within me, searching for the whispers of those who crossed over, and suddenly I felt a presence. I felt familiar yet elusive. And then I caught a glimpse of him the look of encouragement in my father-in-law's eyes, the sly smile that had always accompanied his mischief. And as I connected with the audience, I mentioned the light and strength of those who had come to offer messages. The crowd was spellbound and in this moment of connection I suddenly felt a jolt of energy, just like the takeoff of a fighter jet, and the grief began to intertwine with something else Hope, love and the unmistakable presence of my father-in-law.

Jay Lane: 3:33

After the show, I'd strolled down the bustling streets of Manhattan with a few friends and the city was buzzing around me. And there it was again A black and white checkerboard patterned umbrella, carried by a woman that was walking by. And I was smiling throughout my tears, recalling the proud stories he told me about his time flying and the significance of the checkerboard. And this was a sign and he wanted me to know. He was still with me. And the next day brought more surprises. So here I am, seated on the subway with a friend, and I'm sitting next to a man dressed in a very sharp suit and I notice a chessboard briefcase tucked underneath his arm. And I started to laugh a little bit to myself because the universe seemed intent on showing me these reminders. Showing me these reminders and even as I challenged my sorrow, every checkerboard sign was a testament to his unwavering spirit pushing me forward.

Jay Lane: 4:44

My evening performance followed with an air of anticipation. The audience was filled with those seeking closure, hope and healing was filled with those seeking closure, hope and healing. And as I carried the messages of lost loved ones, I felt my father-in-law's presence growing stronger. Every room of the theater felt alive, felt charged with energy, just as he had described when he sat in the cockpit of his plane. It was transformative. It allowed me to channel messages and to connect souls with their loved ones in the audience, and I was so thankful for his presence.

Jay Lane: 5:25

Now, on the final day of my visit, I found myself at the Hilton by Central Park and as I sat at our table at the convention center, I noticed a really familiar figure walking by and I thought, oh my god, is that Chubby Checker, the legendary singer? And then my heart started to race as he approached my table and I felt such an odd sense of humor fluttering in my chest. Surely my father-in-law had a hand in this surreal moment, because I couldn't help but chuckle when I caught the sight of his tie draped around his neck, a perfectly checkered black and white pattern, and I felt bold and somehow, as if propelled by my father-in-law's encouragement, I said to him hey, nice tie. And he had a great big smile breaking across his face and he said thank you. It's a classic, just like my moves. So we exchanged a quick laugh and I talked about my hometown, sunbury, and so much more. But for me, it was more than just a light moment. It was another sign, and as the trip grew to a close, I felt lighter than I had in days. My father-in-law had spent my visit weaving an invisible thread of connection between us, reminding me that, while loss is painful, love transcends the boundaries of life. With every checkerboard sign, I could feel his love guiding me through my grief and helping me reclaim my joy. And so, when I boarded the plane back home, I looked down at my boarding pass. The numbers were bold, an unexpected sequence of numbers 441. And I smiled, knowing he was with me, watching over me, celebrating my journey and reminding me that he would always be part of my life, in every pattern, in every number and in my very soul.

Jay Lane: 7:31

Now, moving forward, a couple years later, here we were at Lake Superior, and I could sense a mix of grief and hope swirling within Brad, my husband, having lost his father a few years before. He really needed the courage to confront his sorrow. So I was hoping that this trip would really help him connect with his father's spirit, with his father's spirit. And so here I am waving my hand in front of him, trying to pull him out of his reverie, because here he's staring out, you know, at the waters of Lake Superior. And so I'm going Earth to Brad, earth to Brad, you know. And so he says, oh, sorry, sorry, jay. He says, and he's forcing this smile and I could tell he was really down. And he says to me I was just thinking about dad. So I said to him look, why don't we go have some breakfast? And I was hoping to lift his spirits. And so we started to walk towards this cute little cafe and his eyes suddenly lit up and on the wall of the cafe was a mural of a checkered flag. Now I could see his grief momentarily lifted, replaced with a sense of connection.

Jay Lane: 8:41

After breakfast we set out to explore the small town we were visiting, and everywhere we went it felt like Brad was spotting signs. The first one a young girl on a bicycle wore a checkered helmet. Next, a car with a checkered decal that drove past us. And at the local market, a vendor who's selling checkered tablecloths. So he says to me can you believe this? Like I've never seen so many checkerboards and checkers in my life. He says it's like I'm in a dream. It's like dad's reaching out to me.

Jay Lane: 9:15

As the days rolled on, we traveled to many scenic spots, we hiked through lush trails, we enjoyed bonfires and with each day the checkered signs persisted. A group of kids playing checkers by the lakeside, a family wearing matching checkered shirts, and Brad kept on running into all of these signs and he kept the tally on his phone and it was a small act of remembrance that made his father feel closer. And so one afternoon we visited an air show just outside of town and the sight of the fighter jets as they danced across the sky stirred something deep within Brad, and he stepped closer to the airstrip and his eyes were wide as he watched the planes perform all of these really neat stunts. So I said look. And we both gaze upwards and a flock of hawks swirling in a graceful formation above the airstrip. Graceful formation above the airstrip. Their wings cast against the beautiful blue, blue sky and echo his father's fighting spirit. So he says to me I think dad would have loved this.

Jay Lane: 10:33

He always talked about watching the clouds from up above while he was up in the air and as dusk fell, the crowd started to gather for the final flyover and the roar of engines echoed like thunder and Brad's heart raised his eyes, scanning the sky, wishing for a sign. A moment that spiraled like a massive checkered pattern in the air and gasps filled the crowd as the sky transformed into a canvas of black and white dancing against the setting sun. It was so beautiful, so beautiful, and Brad took this deep breath and in that moment he felt a warmth wrap around his heart, swelling with love and nostalgia. I could see him closing his eyes and then he whispered I miss you, dad. I hope you're seeing this. And I, of course, I was in tears.

Jay Lane: 11:41

And when the show ended, the crowd erupted into applause and Brad stood still looking up at the fading shapes of the jets amidst the checkered formation of smoke, and a single tear rolled down his cheek, and not from sadness, but from a newfound sense of peace. Do you think he's happy? I asked, standing beside him, sensing that profound moment, and he said I do. And he had such a beautiful smile, breaking through his sorrow and and I was so happy for him. And then he says I think he's always with me.

Jay Lane: 12:20

I just needed to find the signs, Jay, and as we walked back to our car, the night air was filled with laughter and chatter and Brad's heart felt lighter and the weight of grief that had threatened to engulf him was now tempered by reassurance. In his heart he carried every checkered flag he had seen on our journey, each one a reminder of his father's great and beautiful spirit. Thank you so much for listening in. I hope you have an absolutely beautiful week ahead and until next time we'll talk to you again real soon. Bye-bye, thanks for listening in. I hope you enjoyed today's Laneway to Spirit. To learn more about me, visit my website at mediumjaylane. com or my socials on Facebook and Instagram.