Do you stop and pause when you see a cardinal? I always do. I am immediately reminded of loved ones who have died.
What’s that expression – “when a cardinal appears, an angel is near”?
A friend sent me the above photo as we were talking on the phone, a scene from her back yard that very moment. She said there were many more cardinals on the ground, that aren’t in the photo. So many cardinals, all at once!
Later that same day, we received some crushing, devastating news about a family member. I think back on the beautiful sight of these cardinals, all together, and can’t help but wonder if they were almost an ‘early warning system,’ a foreshadowing…reminding of love and hope.
It led to this poem…
we got you you know how if you are a ways apart from someone you adore say, across a plaza, or on the other side of the road, you might take your hat off (if you have a hat) and tip it, jostle it, wave it in the air give a happy loving boisterous “hey hey!” this is what cardinals do offering a bit of love from across the way a kiss an embrace a tender look through time also when they gather by the many when you count five six seven or more when you see their bold dotting bright red splashes adorning winter brown branches this is hey, we got you! you are not alone you are not forgotten this means pray, baby, pray be listening be alert be assured you are being held by many feel the power of all we got you
for creating this supportive community of teacher writers.
I had heard cardinals were a sign, but I wasn’t sure for what, and then I read your piece. Thank you for sharing the expression and the beautiful poem of hope.
Thank you! Cardinals are a sign of hope for me – not sure it’s universal, but I love them!
Maureen. This is a lovely comparison: the cardinal to a friend waving hello in recognition and greeting. I’d love to see cardinals in our trees; alas, they are not common in this area. All we get are starlings, a sight right out of Hitchcock’s “The Birds” yesterday morning. Also, I’m sorry the year has started w/ sad family news. Is this the price of aging? Peace and comfort to you, my friend.
I remember being awed by the deep blue Stellar’s Jay when I was out your way this past summer – a richer blue than our common east coast blue jay. I’m surprised to hear there aren’t cardinals, they are so frequent here. I know those Hitchcock starlings, for sure! Thanks, Glenda!
Maureen, the sweet cardinals have come calling, bringing their condolences and hope for a brighter tomorrow. I am sorry for your loss. The ending is full of tender feelings. Rest in faith and memories.
Thank you, Carol. Love that “rest in faith and memories.”
Love this. This year., a friend gave me a beautiful hand-painted crystal ornament with cardinal on it. It makes me smile and gives me hope. I love that photo of the cardinals in the tree. I had a similar experience with bluejays. But cardinals remain my favorite bird. Do you know Sharon Creech’s book – Chasing Red Bird.? Worth a read!
I have not read that Sharon Creech book – I will definitely give it a read. That ornament sounds beautiful!! Thank you, Joanne.