Messages from Heaven- Balloons

God's love is displayed through symbols that lead us to a merciful life with Christ. Our co-hosts, Paige Muttillo and Greg Campbell tell two short stories that show God's presence through balloons. Even in life's toughest moments, balloons serve as a reminder that God is always there for us.

 Do you have a topic you'd like us to discuss? Please email us at podcast@clecem.org!

Please feel free to "Connect With Us" via our website at www.clecem.org.

Follow us on:
Facebook: @catholiccemeteriesassociation
Twitter: @CLECatholicCems
Instagram: @clecatholiccems
Blog:  @clevelandcatholiccemeteries
Podcast: "CCAirwaves" on your favorite streaming platform!

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:29

Hello,

Meet Our Summer Intern Greg

SPEAKER_01 0:30

everyone, and welcome back to CC Airwaves. My name is Paige Matillo, and today I have a very special guest. His name is Greg Campbell, and he is my summer intern. Hi, Greg. How are you?

SPEAKER_00 0:42

Good, Paige. How are you?

SPEAKER_01 0:44

I'm doing lovely. I'm very excited to have you on the podcast. It has been one year since I've had an intern. If any of you remember Jen from last year, miss you a lot, Jen. But now this summer I am blessed with Greg.

SPEAKER_00 0:56

Awesome. I appreciate the opportunity excited for what we've done so far.

SPEAKER_01 0:59

Yeah, it's been a great summer so far. Can't wait for you guys to see what else we have in store.

Why Faith Led Him Here

SPEAKER_01 1:05

And we're gonna ask Greg a few questions about himself. So, Greg, let's start off. Where do you go to school?

SPEAKER_00 1:11

I will be a senior this fall at John Carroll University. So going back to our Jesuit roots page, it's good to carry on the legacy.

SPEAKER_01 1:18

Go blue streaks. And Greg's 100% right. That's where I went to school, and that's where I got my undergrad degree. And then why did you choose the CCA for your summer internship?

SPEAKER_00 1:29

So when I was looking at some internships, I had some different opportunities. And I think the one thing that resonated with me were two words, faith and the meaningful impact I was going to be able to make on my community. And I think CCA provides so many different resources for families. But I think the biggest impact was relating it to my faith and how I can continue to be the light of God and continue to live through Jesus Christ.

SPEAKER_01 1:53

Well, that's a wonderful reason to come join us. And I'm assuming the marketing also spoke to you.

SPEAKER_00 1:58

Yes. Marketing's a big passion about it. I I think, like I told Paige in the interview, like marketing, like doing this this summer is going to kind of be the last touch before I graduate next spring. So getting being able to get marketing experience at such a meaningful organization is really important to me and I've had a great experience so far.

SPEAKER_01 2:15

And what are you most excited for this summer? I know you won't be with us long, but what do you think?

SPEAKER_00 2:20

I'm excited to make some connections, meet as many people as I can and continue to spread the the word of God and continue to help families around us in the diocese and and beyond too.

SPEAKER_01 2:31

Yeah. And we have a great staff here. So Greg has already met almost all of them. We actually went out to All Souls today and he got to meet everyone out there. And it was just such a nice little treat.

SPEAKER_00 2:41

Yes, it was. Really cool experience.

SPEAKER_01 2:43

And what do you like to do in your free time, Greg? Tell the listeners a little bit about who you are.

SPEAKER_00 2:47

Yeah. So I love boating. So I love to wake surf, I love wakeboarding, and I love water skiing too. So anytime I have a little bit of free time, I love to spend it on the water. And it's something I've done since I was a little kid. So continuing to do that and make memories with my family is it's been really, really cool.

SPEAKER_01 3:03

Do you go tubing at all on the water?

SPEAKER_00 3:05

I have, yes.

SPEAKER_01 3:05

I'm terrified of tubing, honestly. It's so scary. Oh, I just remember going to the lake with my uncles, and you know, their like main goal was to make you fly off in the craziest way possible.

SPEAKER_00 3:17

Save with my dad, too.

SPEAKER_01 3:18

Yes, exactly. Oh, well, we have a lot in store for this summer. Can't wait for you guys to see it, and we will get going with today's episode. We

Balloons As Remembrance After Loss

SPEAKER_01 3:29

are back with another Messages from Heaven, where we share stories that remind us that love and hope endure even after loss. Today's theme is balloons. That may seem like a strange theme, but I promise we're going somewhere with it. Uh, balloons are often part of celebrations, birthdays, graduations, weddings. They're symbols of joy and remembrance. And sometimes after the loss of a loved one, families will hold a celebration of life. These gatherings often take place after the burial and are a way for friends and families to come together, share memories, and honor the life of the person who has passed. One tradition that sometimes takes place at these celebrations is a balloon release. People write messages, say prayer, or simply hold a quiet thought for their loved one before letting the balloons float into the sky. It can be a very powerful and emotional moment watching something drift upward, almost like sending a message from heaven. And today we have two stories involving balloons and these balloon releases and the comfort they brought to those grieving.

The Sky Forms A Letter P

SPEAKER_01 4:32

So Greg is gonna start us off with the first story.

SPEAKER_00 4:34

Yeah, so this was actually submitted by Lindsay H, and it starts with, I didn't really want to go to the celebration of life. Seeing everyone and talking about Penny like she was only a memory felt too hard. She was my best friend. We talked every day. I still picked up my phone to text her without even thinking. But I knew she would have shown up for me, so I went. After the service, we all went outside for a balloon release. Everyone held a white balloon and stood quietly for a moment before letting them go. I didn't know what to say, so I just whispered, I love you, Penn, and let mine go. All the balloons floated up together and then slowly starting s started spreading apart in the wind. I kept watching them until something caught my eye. A small group of balloons drifted away from the others and curved into a shape. It looked like the letter P. I blinked and stared, trying to make sure I wasn't imagining it. I grabbed the girl next to me and asked if she saw it too. She nodded right away. Other people around us started pointing as well. For a few seconds, the balloons clearly formed a P in the sky, a P for Penny, before the wind carried them apart again. It didn't take the sadness away, but it gave me comfort. It felt like a small reminder that she was okay and somehow still close. Now, whenever I think back to that day, I just remember the loss. I remember that moment in the sky and how when I needed it most, I felt connected to her again.

SPEAKER_01 6:08

What a beautiful story. I think that is probably one of the fame one of my favorite stories that we shared on the podcast. Especially because in those moments after services, I feel like that's when people are at their lowest when dealing with a loss, is just right after the burial. And so being reminded that she's okay and going to heaven, there's nothing better than that. I

Two Balloons Stay Together

SPEAKER_01 6:32

will share our second story, which was submitted by Ella D S. My daughter and her boyfriend passed away together in an accident. When we held their celebration of life, we decided to do a balloon release. Everyone gathered outside and held two balloons, one for my daughter and one for him. When we let them go, something unexpected happened. Two balloons became tangled together by their strings and began floating upward at one. At first, I thought someone had just accidentally tied them together, but as they rose higher into the sky, everyone began pointing. The two balloons stayed connected the entire time. They drifted higher and higher, moving together while the rest of the balloons spread apart in the wind. Someone next to me whispered, look, they're still together. And in that moment, I felt peace I hadn't felt since the accident. Seeing those two balloons rise side by side felt like a reminder that they were together wherever they were now. It didn't erase the memory of losing them, but it brought comfort to my heart. Very similar story. And I mean, I feel like anyone could say that that is a coincidence. Of course, the strings tied together. But I mean, what are the chances that, first of all, only two of them connected and that the other ones separated? I mean, I think that's a sign from God. That's just me. But that's all that we have for you

Share Your Story And Follow Along

SPEAKER_01 7:52

guys today. I hope that you enjoyed meeting Greg. I hope you enjoyed listening to our stories. And if you have received a message from heaven and would like to share it, you can email us at podcast at Clecem.org, or you can send us a message on our social media at CCR Waves. Greg will be handling the social media this summer, so you should absolutely follow it, share any posts, and support him in any way because he needs your support. So uh thank you so much again till for listening to CCR Waves, and we'll see you next week.