They were high school sweethearts, but didn’t reconnect until much later in life. But when they did? It was magic. But last week, he thought he was getting a cold and then died suddenly on Friday. It was a shock to the system, this healthy, viral man who was looking forward to deer season was gone in a flash. Even the dog felt it.
They lived in a rural area outside of a major metropolitan area on the East Coast. She described her home as North America meets Africa hunting lodge, and was filled with trophies from their hunts. Each mount had a story and they joked about their spirit animals. She was the wolf, he was the deer. Over the weekend she definitely felt like she was missing something, and as she wandered the house and the property, she waited for a sign from him.
In the meantime, shocked friends and family stopped by to comfort the grieving widow. A neighbor delivered a breakfast basket filled with eggs, bacon, sausage, English muffins, and jelly to help fortify her and her guests. The gesture was so welcome, she said it was one of the best gifts she’s ever received.
Monday morning, the house was quiet and as she stood looking out the window sipping her coffee, an albino deer came out of the woods.
She’d lived here for 11 years and had never seen a white deer and knew how rare this was. It was the sign she was waiting for. On Tuesday it rained all day, but early the next morning, she saw the deer again and got a shaky photo of it moving through the trees. It was the sign she was waiting for and she knew what to do.
She mentally planned a memorial for her husband. She ordered a bronze deer urn to honor his animal spirit, the sculpture would blend perfectly to compliment their lodge decor.
The winters are harsh in her area and his memorial would be held in April. In the meantime, she shivered a little thinking about an upcoming winter without him. He handled the tractor to clear their long drive, and it was expensive to have it plowed. A quad is good, but not on ice. She’s leaving town and will winter over with friends and family in warmer parts of the country. Why not? Convalesce with loved ones and then return home when things start to thaw and regroup.
We’ve always been fascinated by the spirit animal, white deer and the debate on whether they are sacred, weak, or bad luck. The client and I even joked that the albino deer would be a trophy for some hunters and that it was likely, although we hoped not, that it wouldn’t be tracked. Deer urns are magical and creative, but there are other styles for the person that loved hunting or fishing.
UPDATE: Client received the urn and sent us a photo after it was filled and placed in the home.