Simple Ceremony: Heaven’s Calling

Every once in a while, my dad’s number pops up unexpectedly on my phone. Maybe it happens because I’ve tapped something without realizing, but in my heart, I like to believe it’s his way of saying hello from beyond the veil.

It happened again this week. His picture lit up the screen and my heart paused to notice. For a moment, it was as if time folded and we were talking again. I could hear his cheerful voice say, “Hi Babe,” the way he always answered when I called him. Then my eyes fell to the digits themselves, his old cell phone number. My heart contracted when I thought, what if I accidentally dialed this? Someone else would probably answer. That possibility was almost unbearable.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to delete him from my contacts. To erase his photo and name would forever end those treasured and mysterious moments when he “pops in” to say hello.

Then I had an idea.

I erased his old number and replaced it with something new. Not random digits, but the ones that spell H-E-A-V-E-N on the keypad: 4-3-2-8-3-6. Yes, that your new number, Dad! I know exactly where to call you! 

The next day, I found myself thinking about my dad again. I’ve always loved numerology, and something nudged me to add up the digits of his new phone number. In numerology, the meaning is found by adding digits and reducing to a single number with a value between 1 and 9. Adding 4 + 3 + 2 + 8 + 3 + 6 gave me 26. Then reducing to a single digit, 2 + 6 became 8.

Eight. Infinity. The never-ending loop. Eternal connection. The sideways figure-eight, known as the lemniscate, has long been a spiritual symbol of continuity and unbreakable bonds. When I discovered that the numbers correlating to word heaven reduced to the number 8, I felt awestruck. Tears rested on the brims of my lower eyelids, threatening to spill down my face. It’s so perfect. It’s as if the Holy itself whispered, “Love is forever. You are never apart.”

I hadn’t just typed in digits for heaven. I’d inscribed a truth I now carry with me. One that will always remind me of something so powerful. We are eternal. What once was needed to make a call across states is now a clarion across dimensions and the truth of this experience sings blessings in my heart.

The Holy often speaks through numbers, symbols, and gentle insistence we might choose to ignore. My dad’s “hello” became more than a fleeting moment on my screen. It brought with it an invitation to receive a reassuring message: Love never dies. We are infinite.

Thanks, Dad!

Now, when I see my dad’s name pop on my phone, I’ll feel wonder and awe at the beautiful truth that heaven is never farther away than the next breath, the next heartbeat, the next unexpected hello.

And yes, in case you were wondering, you’re welcome to use this number too. Let 4-3-2-8-3-6 be a way to hold your beloveds in heaven close. I hope it brings you the same comfort and joy it’s brought me. Here’s a suggestion for a little “number changing” ceremony.

A Simple Ceremony of Connection

• Sit somewhere peaceful and quiet with your phone in hand. Take a few slow breaths to center yourself.
• Bring Your Loved One to Mind. Open your contacts and look at their name. Let memories surface. Feel the love that still flows between you.
• Enter the Number for Heaven. Replace or add the digits 4-3-2-8-3-6 under their name. As you do, softly say: “Love never dies. Our connection is eternal.”
• Offer a Moment of Silence. Close your eyes and imagine your love reaching across the veil. Trust that they hear you, even now.
• Light a Candle or Touch Your Heart. Seal the moment by lighting a small candle or simply placing your hand over your heart. Whisper a thank you for the love you share.