Sacred Moments in the Holiday Season

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hey everyone, on this week's episode of Three Cups and a Dash of Spirituality, we're leaning into the heart of the Christmas season, a time of reflection, love, and spiritual closeness. This episode is about the blessings that surround us, the connections that reach beyond what we can see, and the quiet ways comfort and guidance find us during this sacred time of year. So Merry Christmas, everyone. Happy holidays. Let's get this episode started. Welcome to this week's episode of Three Cups and a Dash of Spirituality. It is a special episode because it is our Christmas episode, and all three of us are here. So, hello, Carissa. Hello, hello. Welcome back. And hi, Stacey. Welcome back to you too.

SPEAKER_01 0:52

Hello, everybody. I am so excited to be here. I feel like it's been forever since the three of us have been able to connect, like scheduling-wise. I'm I was so excited today, all day.

SPEAKER_00 1:03

And it's the perfect time of year. I know in our last episode, it was me and the two guys from Monster Lore Tour, and they did a wonderful job, but I'm like, oh, I know you guys would have a million questions that I just didn't have. So I missed you guys.

SPEAKER_03 1:18

Aw.

SPEAKER_00 1:18

We missed you too. Well, thank you. It's always good to be missed and thought about, especially this time of year. Before we jump too far into the episode, I want to bring up the kindness challenge. We are now in week number three. And this is again the perfect week for it because it is the week of Christmas, and we're supposed to be doing something kind for ourselves. Are you doing it?

SPEAKER_01 1:42

So I am this week, and it's kind of total iron irony. I'm getting my eyelashes lifted and tinted later on this weekend. Spoiling, spoiling.

SPEAKER_00 1:53

I love it. No, that's called self-care. That's wonderful. How about you, Chris? Are you taking care of yourself? Yes, I am.

SPEAKER_03 1:59

But I need to do something kind for myself this week. What can I do that's not fair? What can I do?

SPEAKER_00 2:08

There's so many things. You can go for a walk, you can meditate, you can have a glass of wine, you can go to a show, maybe.

SPEAKER_03 2:17

Yeah, I'm going out to dinner with friends tomorrow. So that's kind.

SPEAKER_00 2:20

Yeah, that is kind. That's pampering yourself or showing up for yourself and giving yourself room. So I appreciate everyone who's a participating in this challenge. I know holidays can be difficult. And for me, I do fall into the difficult holiday this year because right before Thanksgiving, unexpectedly, we had taken my dog out to retrieve and her legs gave out, her body betrayed her, and we ended up having to say goodbye to her. So it's just a very hard, I mean, any time of year is hard. But this time when the lights are up and everyone's supposed to be happy, it's hard when you're you're so sad. But this kindness challenge has lifted my spirits. And also, and I have to share this story because it was so profound. My dog reached out to me the other night. No. I had fallen asleep early and I woke up about 9:30 and I stepped immediately into her energy. I was like, what does it feel like when you're around? What are your qualities? What does your energy feel like? And I was really bringing it up front. And then I started thinking about all her little quirky habits and everything, and just really sitting in that energy. Well, my other dog is now sleeping in our room because she doesn't have her little dog mate anymore. And all of a sudden I heard her smacking her lips, which she never does. That's something our other dog does. And so I'm like, well, maybe she's thirsty. And I wasn't even putting two and two together. So I got her out of her bed space. I took her to the water bowl inside, and she refused to drink it. And I'm like, hmm, well, maybe she has to go to the bathroom. So I turn off the alarm, I let her out, and we have a dog bowl right outside the door. And she instantly went to it, took like four or five sips, and went back to bed. That doesn't seem so strange, but she never does that. That's what my other dog did. My other dog would not drink inside, but would go outside, take four or five sips, and then come back in. And so I had asked Rip for a sign. I would recognize, and when this happened, I just knew. I knew that she was there with me. I knew she was watching over us. And then I just started thinking, well, is she actually like taking over her sister dog or is she telling her sister dog what to do? I don't know how she was getting the message through, but my other dog's behavior completely flipped so my other dog could show up for me.

SPEAKER_03 4:57

And that's those are the moments I live for. That's a fascinating story because the question was well, is my dog coming through and taking over? And I literally had something happen to me where it was a human, it wasn't a dog. So this is a fascinating topic because I asked myself this. Like, so my my grandfather died, and my aunt was taking a shower. She never, she'll whistle, but never was, she really doesn't whistle. She would never whistle. She started whistling like my grandfather did while she was in the shower, like it perfectly just like it, like singing a song. And I froze and I knew it was my grandfather. Isn't it fascinating when they loved ones who have transitioned and including pets come through and I don't know how to put articulate, speak through them. It's not like they're taking over, but they're doing it, they're talking to them in their head to do it. I don't know, honestly.

SPEAKER_00 5:57

I know. I'm not sure what happened, but I knew just like you, in that moment, I knew that that was the sign meant for me. Right. And it was great.

SPEAKER_01 6:06

And in both of those examples, to me, it doesn't feel like they took over. It feels like they just were giving you those nods, like, hey, we can acknowledge this, this, this animal, this other person is here. We're not taking over. We just want you to know we love you. We're here. Hey, hey, you know, I love that. Yeah, no, it was great. Has anything like that ever happened to you, Stacey? Off the top of my head, I can't think of an example. I'm sure it has, where I've had those moments of pause. I will, I can share with you that where I'm employed right now definitely has a resident that is always there, who I have encountered three or four times. Very happy, does not need to be crossed over, don't need to step into that. But I was sitting at the desk and I saw, you know, the shadow run by and nobody else was in the building. And it happened two other times. And then you can feel them at certain, like in certain locations and at certain times. And it almost is like, hey, hey, we're here. And and for me, it's like, hey, we know you're new here. Hey, welcome. Welcome. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:11

You know, so it's it's just, it's actually really cool.

SPEAKER_01 7:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:14

If our listeners could see us, I'm like, tell me more. Like, I want to hear everything.

SPEAKER_01 7:20

Well, so what I'll throw out there is I we we have been told that George Washington actually visited the location that I work in too. So it's very historical. So there's there's a lot more to the building than just, you know, what it's being used for today. Yeah, I don't want to know what the building was back in the day.

SPEAKER_03 7:38

Do you know?

SPEAKER_01 7:39

I don't know. I would need to research it. I know they've built on. I did have an individual come in today and he used to bartend there many years ago when it was a restaurant. And so he was telling me about the different locations where they had tables and where people were sitting and where he actually worked as a bartender, but it's completely different now. So yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:01

That is so cool. I wonder if in a future episode we can do a little research and maybe just kind of tap in, or if you want to tap in, let us know what you're picking up, how many spirits are there, something like that. That could be fun. Not to cross over, just to tap in and take a look at it.

SPEAKER_01 8:16

Oh no, they're they are very happy there. And what I will also throw out there, just because we're kind of on it and it's interesting, is this morning when I got in, it was myself and one other individual because we were opening. I opened the closet where we put our our jackets and hang up, you know, put our stuff in. And there was this little mini door, like on the inside, you know, an old storage that had bricks on the other side. So picture really old building, this this thing like off, like inside the the closet, shoes, old shoes were behind the door. And I stopped and I was like, well, this is interesting. And I looked at the receptions because I wasn't there by myself, and she was like, Yeah, it's really creepy back there. So I was like, Yeah, I could see that.

SPEAKER_03 9:04

Yeah, I'm wondering what year how what year the shoes were, what what year they were made.

SPEAKER_01 9:10

I didn't disturb them. I I actually ended up closing that small door and and leaving it alone because when things are for me, when things are behind a space like that, I choose to leave that just un undisturbed.

SPEAKER_00 9:25

Yeah. Well, when you're talking about the resident in your new place of employment, you're smiling ear to ear. So it just must be a happy energy that you're talking about.

SPEAKER_01 9:34

It it really is. Uh, you know, if it wasn't, you know, I I probably would have messaged both of you. But as we have learned in all of our experiences and and your travels, sometimes they just want to be where they are. And it's okay.

SPEAKER_00 9:49

Yeah. We're all growing, we're all learning, and that's definitely something that we've all stepped into. So that's great. All these stories are so much fun, and that's gonna be kind of the vibe of this episode because I have some stories written down. They're very sweet around the Christmas time, and I think they're gonna generate some conversation and maybe remind you of an experience you had that we can piggyback off. So I thought it'd be a fun way to step into Christmas feeling watched over and loved. Cool. Okay. Well, if you're ready, I'll do the first story for you. Which is called The Christmas Light That Stayed On. So a family lost their father just a few days before Christmas. And he was always the one responsible for putting up the Christmas lights. After his passing, one strand on the tree refused to work, no matter what they tried. On Christmas Eve, the family asked out loud for his help just one last time. And suddenly that strand of light, it lit up perfectly. And it stayed on for exactly one hour before going out forever.

SPEAKER_01 11:03

So this it makes me think of the story that you just shared with your pup, though, how we can request these signs or symbols to come through. And it's not even with expectation, right? It's with this thought of, you know, I really love you and I miss you. Can you just give me a sign that you're here? And I love that it it says it was only on for an hour because it's almost like this little, okay, goodbye. It's time for you to step into your own. It reminds me of, I don't, I don't know if you guys have heard the story of the dad that used to peel his daughter's like Clementines every day. And on her last day in in high school, he included like the instructions and how to peel it in the future because he said it's time, it's time for you to move forward, you know.

SPEAKER_00 11:49

I love that. The first thing I stepped into reading this story is my own Christmas tree this year because I got it all assembled. It's fake, obviously, and I couldn't get the lights on top to light up at all. So I had to go to the store and buy some lights and put them on, and I was cussing the whole time. It would have been much easier if someone from the other side would have just said, hey, I'm gonna let you know I'm here and help you out. But that didn't happen. But I do have a story that this reminded me of, and it's kind of part of our family lore, our family legend. But my grandma was from England, and she married my grandpa and moved to the United States. And when she left England, there was an old grandfather clock that just stopped cuckooing or whatever sound the grandfather clock did when her father passed. So for years and years, it made no sound. And then she went back for a visit and they were all sitting around the room. The clock was still there, and it worked again.

SPEAKER_03 12:55

That reminds me of a story, the grandfather clock. My grandfather woke me up one night. This is right after his death. He was very, very present after his death, uber present compared to everyone else that I've lost in my family. And he had the grandfather clock, which he gave us, going off in my head. And I and then finally I was just like, just stop because you know you want to go to bed. And it was it mirrors the um Michelle the dog with your dog story.

SPEAKER_01 13:26

And that like our brain is just open to to turn things on, and they're it's really interesting how they how things like this happen and they unfold in kind of these really bizarre ways, too.

SPEAKER_00 13:40

Yeah, and as you said earlier, Stacy, it's just that nod or that reaching out in love and in, hey, I'm still here. Maybe you can't see me, maybe the physical body's gone, but I'm watching over you and I'm hearing your prayers and don't ever feel alone. Well, anything else you want to share on that story before I move on to story number two? Oh, you have another one too? I have five if we can. Wow. Okay. So my next story is called The Midnight Choir. And I heard this from a friend on the East Coast.

unknown 14:14

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 14:15

There you go. On Christmas Eve, someone heard a full choir singing at silent night. And this was happening near an abandoned church at exactly midnight. The sound was clear and it was beautiful. And as they approached the church, the singing just abruptly stopped. And when they looked at the building, it was completely dark and it was empty. But locals say that the old choir who have been passed away for a very long time still sing once a year. Now want to go visit the place. I know. I know.

SPEAKER_03 14:56

Put that place on our list. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:59

And another reason to go to the East Coast, right? Come and see me. Come and see me. See, for me, I I love, I love how much it the like those stories mean to individuals. I don't think I would seek that out. I I I honestly think that if I was standing in an abandoned location and all of a sudden I heard an entire choir, I'd be like, it's time to leave. Well, wait, you're going to that haunted location with us, right? I uh we I'm I'm going to try. That's that's my that's my goal.

SPEAKER_03 15:33

Yes, my goal is yes. Well that's that's not a friendly place. No, no, it's not.

SPEAKER_00 15:39

And by haunted location, they are speaking of the Warren House. I believe it's in Connecticut. We got one of like 90 nights, and we get to go investigate. And they're opening up the whole museum for three hours, and Annabelle's gonna be there.

SPEAKER_03 15:56

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_00 15:57

I mean, this isn't really Christmas stuff that we're talking about. It's a little bit Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 16:02

It's a doll. I mean, Christmas, dolls, you know, presents. I used to get dolls all the time for Christmas.

SPEAKER_00 16:09

Yeah. Well, we always talk about energetic imprints. So do you think that's what the choir was? It's just an inner energetic imprint from a long time ago that maybe there was something emotional attached to that night where you can. I mean, it's Christmas.

SPEAKER_03 16:24

But I'm not saying it plays every night, the same night, right?

SPEAKER_00 16:27

Every year, just once a year on Christmas.

SPEAKER_03 16:31

No, I don't know. Cynical caressa, no.

SPEAKER_00 16:37

I know. Well, you know, you need that discerning self, right? That spiritual discernment, which we are going to be talking about in the new year, and I'm excited about that episode.

SPEAKER_03 16:47

That's me, though. When I go to these locations, I'm like, no, no. Oh, okay. Well, I guess uh yeah, it is happening.

SPEAKER_00 16:59

But you've heard this before. I mean, when we've talked about the veil being thin on a person's death date or their birth date, someday that holds significance, it's easier to reach them. So maybe if something significant happened on that particular Christmas Eve, it just holds the imprint of that.

SPEAKER_03 17:15

Well, if it was every night for Christmas Eve, the whole world would be visiting this place.

SPEAKER_00 17:20

Maybe they are.

SPEAKER_03 17:21

They're not because it would be all over TikTok.

SPEAKER_01 17:25

Yeah, that's true. I I mean, I do I do believe that there are certain kinds of hauntings that can just be a specific time. Like they are there for a specific reason at a specific time, a specific day. It's like uh a death day, for example. This is something that people loved doing, so they go back every year and and revisit it.

SPEAKER_03 17:47

Yeah, I haven't had that. It's like at the Sally house, we had that one guy come through and was, I didn't know who he was. Michelle figured it out. And then was he hanging out there all the time, or did he just come through there during the time we were there? I have no idea.

SPEAKER_00 18:05

Yeah, I wish we could ask them questions like what is going on? Why is it this way? I I think that house just had an energy that drew people in. And I think he's been there for a while. Yeah, that's what it felt like. Some place he could go hang out. Okay, well, I'm gonna move on to story number three. While driving home on Christmas Eve during a snowstorm, a driver saw a woman in a vintage red coat walking along the road alone. When he pulled over to offer help, she vanished without footprints or a trace. Minutes later, a major accident occurred just behind him. So locals believe she appears to protect travelers. Now that one's believable. And I've heard this one in many different forms. The lady in white, the lady in black, now the lady in the vintage red coat.

SPEAKER_03 19:00

Even one story, I think it was a year or two ago, where I can't remember fully, I hate that. But basically it was the minister came up to him and I don't know, at the at the scene, and anyhow. But yeah, a lot of people have that where someone just walking up and they had just passed away. I that one's believable.

SPEAKER_00 19:20

What do you think, Stacy?

SPEAKER_01 19:22

I I agree with Chris. I do think that's believable, and we have heard different versions of that in different um lore that we've even followed. I think that example was one that we even talked about in a previous podcast with a guest.

SPEAKER_00 19:36

Um kind of showed somebody showing up to help with Jeremy. Yeah. And it wasn't a nice someone coming up to help. Right. But it turned out after we had the conversation. Yeah, same kind of idea. Yeah. Yeah. And I do love the the part of the story where it's kind of left open. There was an accident afterwards. So maybe this man slowing down it saved him from getting in the accident. I mean, that's the protection part is she's delayed him. And we've talked a lot about that too, the universe timing, delays, everything like that, and how we immediately in the human world step into frustration. But you need to think that maybe there's a reason bigger for the delay.

SPEAKER_03 20:18

Because we have free will. We I mean, we can't we can easily get an accident if that detours us, takes us off the path that we're supposed to be on, our soul wants to be on. I could definitely see that happen.

SPEAKER_00 20:30

Oh, absolutely.

SPEAKER_03 20:31

I've had that happen. You know, not someone in red stop my make me slow down, but lots of lots and lots of things happen.

SPEAKER_00 20:40

Like energy, or you're talking not like energy. You're talking about a slow car in front of you, or it could be my guides.

SPEAKER_03 20:47

Like, here was here's one I probably talked about on the podcast. So I apologize if I'm repeating myself. But I'm driving and I'm like, I'm gonna do this. And it was just something completely off the wall, and it was like maybe blow up my life a little bit. I was like, I'm gonna do that. And my guides had there was a car right in front of me that said something on the license plate that pertained to that. Basically, like, no, you're not. Let's just say that, but it wasn't that. And I chuckled and I was like, that's not you, because that could easily be a car. You know me, I'm cynical. You that could easily be a car who just has that on there. And then they turned I had Spotify on. This has never happened. It was my brand new car. Spotify was turned off, and then it started playing a song that basically pertained to patience. And it was an old-timey song. And I said, All right, got it. By now in my life, I'm like, got it. When I was younger, probably not. But, you know, stuff like that. That happens to everybody, but they're just not conscious of it.

SPEAKER_00 21:44

Right. I have a question here about the story is like, how do we recognize protective signs in everyday life?

SPEAKER_02 21:50

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_03 21:51

It's, I mean, slow down. You can't go Dululu, right? And say everything is is something. Because that is that's just Just that is delusional. But you have to have discernment. The word you use, Michelle, you've got to have discernment.

SPEAKER_01 22:07

Definitely. I mean, I think Carissa, you just hit the nail on the head, and that's exactly where my brain was, is you have to kind of discern, you know, how how how do you come up with is this, is this true? Is this accurate? Is this for me? And I think that's the hardest thing is because we immediately assume that it's either not really happening or we we just think it's not for us either. You know, I we're we're the first people to just doubt.

SPEAKER_00 22:33

Yeah. Yeah. And we also have to remember we may never know that it happened. We may have taken a moment to recognize, oh, that's very, very true. But never know why that was weird. So yeah. That's very true. Okay, well, story number four is called The Angel in the Grocery Store. So there was a woman who was feeling very emotionally overwhelmed before Christmas. And she was stopped in the grocery store by an older woman with these striking blue eyes. This lady gently touched her arm and she said, You are not alone. This season is holding you. And when the woman turned to respond, the stranger was gone. Then at checkout, a cashier handed her a candy cane left for her by someone who said she needed the sign. And no one could describe the woman clearly. Oh wow, that's interesting. Only that she seemed to have a glow around her. It is. Isn't that a beautiful story? I want that experience. Especially right now during the holidays. I want someone to be like, hey, take a moment of pause and then just sit there and ponder it for a minute.

SPEAKER_01 23:43

Yeah. I I'm I I don't think I can add anything because I'm right there with you.

SPEAKER_00 23:48

Well, how do you think like an angel experience or encounter differs from a spiritual encounter? Do you think there is a difference there?

SPEAKER_01 23:56

I don't I don't think that there's really discernment between them because I I personally feel any experience that I have with with spirit is usually like obviously taking aside like crossing people over, things like that. But for the most part, it's always a really good experience and it's always pertinent information, at least for me.

SPEAKER_03 24:19

And from what I've seen, from what I've seen, right? This is only my point of view. I don't view, I don't see angels as wings and golden and feather, beautiful, you know. Yeah, that's their advanced. They're just advanced. Yeah. Evolved, advanced, advanced, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:41

I think our guides know exactly what we need. And sometimes when they can't reach out in the spiritual, they find a way to come through and just be present. I know for me listening to that story, it was des definitely her eyes. She saw something different in the eyes. I knew it wasn't a typical encounter. And that's how I kind of see signs in the world around me. They have like this energetic glow around them. And I don't know why to hold on to that for piece of information for just a minute. I just know it's relevant. And it usually does reveal itself. For me, there is that glow. There is that draw into that particular thing. And have you ever received a message like that?

SPEAKER_03 25:26

Not right in person, no.

SPEAKER_00 25:29

No, I did in dream state, but not in the middle of a store. I mean, there there are people who walk the earth that are like angels, and when they see you're upset, they can step in. And I've had that happen in a very bad time during my life. Someone stepped in and did very something very crazy.

SPEAKER_01 25:44

I think the only experience walks on earth similar for me is I've been in spaces where I'm I'm looking at somebody. I'm like, I need to go talk to that person. I want to talk to that person. And it's actually, I I ended up doing it the other night. I was out with my husband and a friend of ours, and there was a woman sitting and she was just waiting for her pickup. And I walked over, sat down next to her in the waiting area, and just sparked up a conversation. And I don't know why, but she sent me a message through Facebook a couple of like a day or so later, and she was like, I believe everybody steps into our lives for a reason, and there's a reason that you and I ended up having this random conversation. Don't know really how much it impacted her, but apparently it did. And I was just I was comp I wish she was elaborate. So like I just kept looking Yeah, she didn't she didn't give me a lot more, but when we left, I was like, Facebook me, we'll be friends, and then we found out that we actually had a mutual contact as well. And like there was there was just more to like it was just a nice happening, but it was one of those moments where you're like, I need to talk to this person.

SPEAKER_00 26:55

Yeah, and ladies and gentlemen, that is the kindness challenge. You walked up to someone, and that may have been the only positive interaction she had all day, and it's stuck in her heart. Yeah. Well, I do have one more story, and this one I can say because Chris and Well's story is Michelle's story, so it's one of my Christmas experiences.

SPEAKER_03 27:18

Yay!

SPEAKER_00 27:19

I may have shared it last year, but I don't know. It makes me happy to think about. So here you go. On Christmas morning, I woke up to find my husband already out of bed. The room was quiet when suddenly I felt someone gently tug at the blanket that was covering me. I pulled it back and I said out loud, no, this is my blanket, and I'm holding on to it right now. And then the sensation stopped. I wasn't here, I was aware. And again, that's what we're holding on to is these moments that are like, I know I need to hold on to this, I don't know why. Later that afternoon, a family member opened a quilt, and it was a memorial quilt made from the clothing of a loved one who had passed. And in that moment, I understood that the presence from this morning was connected to this quilt. So I really felt like it was a gentle nudge to pay attention. I'm here and let everyone know I'm here.

SPEAKER_03 28:18

Was that your husband's dad or your aunt? That was my husband's dad. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 28:24

It was a memorial quilt. And again, you know, thinking back to it, I might have it a little wrong in the story. I don't know that the quilt was made from old pieces of clothing, but it was put together in his memory and it was a surprise gift to my mother-in-law. And so it was just a beautiful, beautiful moment. And I just made it one I could share with everyone. He's here. He knows you got this. This is really cool. Yeah. So do you have any Christmas stories you want to share?

SPEAKER_03 28:53

Not specific, you know, it's so interesting. I have never had anything happen specifically around Christmas. And I don't know if I'm just in a space where I'm wrapped up in all the family activities or I'm happy, right? Because I'm off of work and everything.

SPEAKER_01 29:14

I'm kind of along the same lines as you don't really have anything that pops for me off the top when we're talking specifically around Christmas. Different times of the year, perhaps, but not necessarily Christmas.

SPEAKER_00 29:27

And that could be that you're tapped in all the time and you know you're being watched over, and it doesn't have to be a particular day that it's celebrated or that they reach out to you because you know they're always there. They're always there.

unknown 29:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 29:40

I do. Yeah, it's true. Yeah. Well, those are all the Christmas stories that I have today. But I don't know. It just feels like a very warm way to celebrate the special day. So thank you, ladies, for joining me. This has been a lot of fun. Yeah, and share your stories if you do have something happen over Christmas.

SPEAKER_03 30:02

We would love to know.

SPEAKER_00 30:03

They just really speak up and they make my heart smile. So, with that, everybody, Merry Christmas, happy holidays. However, you celebrate. I hope this day is beautiful. Thank you for spending part of it with us. Well, take us out, Stacey. And stay badassy. Again, happy holidays, everyone. Happy holidays. Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Three Cups and a Dash of Spirituality. If you like what you heard, please know that we have a full library of episodes now available on your favorite podcasting platform. You can listen to it now or you can download it to listen to later. Also, if you'd like to give us a review, we'd appreciate it. We love connecting with listeners and thank you in advance.