When my husband died suddenly, I’d never felt more alone. If only I knew he was still with me somehow…

For Robert and me, rain was always heaven-sent. During our courtship there was not much money for entertainment; however, we always enjoyed walking together; particularly in the rain.

The rain poured continually on our wedding day. For the next 21 years of our marriage Robert often told of stopping for fuel in my little town of Watkinsville on the way to our wedding. Since Robert was from South Georgia, no one knew him.

The owner of the petrol station laughed and told Robert about some poor nut who was getting married in this downpour. Some poor nut indeed! For our wedding, Robert had had an inscription engraved inside my ring, but I didn't know how it read until I removed the ring as he checked us into our honeymoon suite.

There I saw the words, Because You Walked With Me in the Rain. Through the years of child rearing, losing parents through death, moving and worrying about jobs; no matter the problem; our faith in God remained steadfast and we always took comfort in one of our favourite Bible passages from Deuteronomy 32:2, “My words shall fall upon you like the gentle rain.”

Then one night Robert died suddenly from a heart attack. Soon family and friends gathered around me, but after they left, I didn't want to go to bed. I felt so alone. I wandered outside and stood on the front porch.

The night was quiet, the sky was clear. And then, for only a few remarkable seconds, there came the familiar, comforting, reassuring sound; of raindrops splattering on the sidewalk before me.