A Blessing That's Not For the Birds

Often, I hear stories about birds.  More specifically, of birds symbolizing messages from our deceased loved ones.  I have a story of my own that I've kept to myself for awhile.  Today, I feel like sharing.

The dates between the accident and Kitty's funeral were January 18-25, 2013.  One month later, my mom died.  For the past three years, January and February have been a sad time of remembrance for our family and close friends.  But, this year, it was different. I received unexpected, yet very welcome visitors during that exact week in January.

The cardinals came.

I have a cherry tree outside my bathroom window.  On the anniversary of the accident, I saw a bright red cardinal perched in the bare tree while I was getting ready to run errands.  It sat there for quite some time.  Three days later - on the day that Kitty had died three years before - the vibrant bird returned to my tree.  At closer look, I saw the female accompanying him, sitting on another branch. 

It wasn't a sign from Kitty, but rather, I believe, my parents came to let me know they are with her, taking care of her for us.  Why else would the pair of birds appear on those specific days and let me watch them for so long in the tree just outside the window?

There have always been cardinals in our neighborhood, but I had not seen ... or at least noticed ...  them in quite some time.  The next time I saw one was in April ... it was Kitty's birthday.  Earlier this month, all of my grandchildren were at grandma and grandpa's house to go our city's park celebration.  While the little grands played on the front lawn, a cardinal flew across the yard.  This time, I felt Kitty's presence, letting me know she is here with her sisters, brother and cousins ... a reminder that she is always with us.

It was January many years ago when my grandmother died.  The day of her funeral there was a blizzard.  Why her funeral wasn't postponed I will never know, but the Cathedral of St. Paul belonged to the handful of us who braved the roads.  Four cars and the hearse made the slippery, slow journey to the cemetery.  As we drove into the grounds, my older sister said she saw a robin fly in front of the procession.  I never saw it, but she was certain it was a robin ... in January ... in Minnesota ... in a blizzard.

A friend of mine told me the story about a small bird who flew alongside her while she ran a marathon.  When she stopped at water breaks, it also paused to rest in a tree or bush.  She believes it was her dad, there to encourage her along the route, to finish the race.

What a gift we receive when we are blessed with the presence of our loved ones spirit!   For me, the cardinals came with a comforting and uplifting message.  For my sister, a robin.  For my dear friend, a small sparrow.  

Pray for them to come, be open to seeing them and you'll recognize the signs ... the birds will come.