SPIRITUAL

Little Moments of Joy Matter

When a white dove crosses my path and gives me a friendly look

The white dove that literally crossed my path by the side of a lake at Roundhay Park in West Yorkshire, England.

Seeing or spotting a white dove is full of symbolism. It embodies peace, hope, purity, honesty, integrity and new beginnings.

In the Bible, a white dove represents God. It could also be a reminder, according to others, of the presence of Angels.

So you can, perhaps, imagine my astonishment when a white dove crossed my path on the side of a lake. An astonishment that instantly translated to inexplicable joy.

The dovecote at Burnby Hall Gardens and Museum; photo taken by the author.

The first time I saw white doves, a flock of them, was over a couple of years ago. It was during a day trip to Burnby Hall Gardens and Museum in East Yorkshire in England.

That first sighting did NOT count in terms of a white dove’s symbolism. This was because I knew beforehand that there is a dovecote in the Burnby Gardens where many white doves are housed.

When this white dove crossed my path, I followed it with stealth — or so I thought. It must have sensed that I was following. It suddenly turned around to face me. Photo by the author.