The Gift of a Cardinal

The past week has been a roller coaster of emotions. My aunt has been ill for a long while, but we knew last week that she was nearing the end of her time here on earth. My sister and I went to visit her. She had difficulty breathing, but managed to get out enough questions to find out how we were doing, and catch up on all the news. That’s such a gift – and one of the things I am most thankful for – that our extended family is connected and caring. Isn’t it humbling when you go to cheer up a sick person and they spend all their time trying to make you feel better?!


Aunt Elaine had a beautiful picture window in the care center, outside which my thoughtful cousin placed a bird feeder. My aunt was looking constantly for a cardinal from her late husband. (If you don’t know the significance of the cardinal, here’s the short story. Cardinals are traditionally thought to be messengers from our deceased loved ones. They deliver the message of hope and love.) After our visit, I Googled cardinal bird food so that we could hurry along the process, and try to get a cardinal to visit her. Okay, that would have been cheating! But I just wanted her to be encouraged. I should have been more patient.

Let me back up and tell you a story from 18 months ago. My son was getting married. They had planned an outdoor wedding (even though weather always seems to be erratic in the spring) and they were blessed with the absolutely most perfect weather they could have had. Right after they exchanged their vows, this beautiful cardinal came out of nowhere and flew right over them. It was breathtaking – his purposeful flight across a clear blue sky. Many people noticed it. My niece Lori came up to us in the receiving line and was talking about the cardinal. I had noticed it and was impressed, but didn’t understand its significance. I got chills when she explained it. My husband had passed away five years earlier, and he had been on our hearts all day. It was a beautiful moment for me when I heard the story of the cardinal, and felt as though he was sending his blessing on the wedding!

I haven’t heard whether my Aunt Elaine ever saw her cardinal. She died two days later. I hope to find out at her funeral Mass this week. But when I invited a few friends over for an early Christmas celebration, one of my friends brought me a beautiful Christmas fern with – you guessed it – a little red cardinal! Message received! May Aunt Elaine rest in peace. I know I will sleep better tonight!

Blessings,
Barb