When I was growing up, after my Grandmother on my Mom’s side passed away, whenever we saw a cardinal, my Mom would say that it was my Grandmother coming to check on us. And so Cardinals became a special bird for us. Whenever I would see one, I truly felt that it was my Grandmother, who I admired greatly.
After my kids were born, I passed on that belief to them. And when my Mother passed away, whenever they saw a Cardinal, they truly believed it was my Mom coming to visit. Whenever they see one, they say, Hi Grandma and try to get her attention. It makes us feel connected to her spirit and feel protected that she is watching over us.
In my kitchen, we have a cardinal suncatcher and over our patio door, I have a small painting of my Mom and I sitting facing the horizon, with a cardinal watching over us. I see it everyday. It gives me peace.
This past Christmas, I received one of the nicest and most thoughtful presents ever. My kids, who are getting old enough to buy little presents, got me a special present. They bought me a snow globe with a cardinal in it. Honestly, as I opened it, I started crying because of their thoughtfulness and knowing how meaningful it would be, it truly moved me. I have the snow globe on my bedside table and I see it everyday also.
And on my recent birthday, as I was opening the curtain to our living room first thing in the morning, there was a cardinal waiting for me in our front tree. It just sat there looking at me. And I turned into a kid and waved at it and started telling the cardinal all about the kids and the family, to catch her up. Mid sentence, in my soliloquy the cardinal flew off. I was so disappointed, because I had so much more to share. But I was joyful, because I got such a special visit for my birthday.
In honour of my Mom, my brother and I make a donation to a Shelter in her name. On my birthday this year, they sent a card thanking for the donation on my Mom’s behalf. I felt like it was a special message from my Mom, proud that we are honouring her legacy. I truly do try to live up to her legacy and her dreams for me; they are such a directing force for me.
But that’s just one Diva’s view.
Diva's View 