A Cardinal Sang to Me and Then Flew Away

I wonder what she was trying to say

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

Do you believe in the spiritual and symbolic meanings behind seeing a cardinal?

Many people believe that seeing a cardinal means that a loved one is trying to connect with you.

I personally never thought much about cardinals, but when my sister was killed in a car wreck five years ago, her husband was excited every time he saw a cardinal. He was convinced it was my sister coming to see him.

It’s obvious my oldest sister believes that was well. Since our sister died, she loaned me a cardinal shirt to wear during my eye surgery. She gave me a cardinal stepping stone for Christmas one year. She bought cardinal pins for all of her friends for Christmas this past year.

So, a few months ago, I was at a living estate sale when I came across a framed cardinal print. I stood there, staring at it for several minutes, thinking my sister would love it. I thought maybe the homeowner would like it if the print went to someone who loves cardinals.

Of course, I bought it and gave it to my sister for her birthday. It’s hanging in her bedroom.

Just the other day, I was doing my usual afternoon swim when I heard a bird singing. It was a cardinal perched on our fireplace chimney. She was singing away, and it went on for several minutes. Mesmerized, I stopped swimming and just looked and listened. I wish I could have taken a picture, but I don’t keep my phone outside with me.

Suddenly, she finished her song and flew away, only to come back a few minutes later. She sang to me again, and I was once more her captive audience, enjoying my own personal concert. I felt sad when she flew away a second time, and this time she didn’t come back.

I went on with my day, but I can’t stop thinking about that bird. She was so pretty and red, and I guess you are wondering how I know it was a she? Well, I know because I know, and that’s my only way to explain it.

I can’t help but wonder, if the bird represented a loved one, then who was it? Was it my sister? My brother has passed on as well, along with my parents. Could it be one of them?

Just the other day, I decided to gift a handmade quilt my aunt made for my high school graduation to one of her granddaughters. It’s been 49 years since I graduated from high school. I used the quilt for a few years and then put it away. I chose to gift it to my aunt’s youngest granddaughter because I am the youngest in my family as well. I also suspected she never got a quilt from her grandmother, and it turned out to be the case.

Was the bird sending a message of approval from my aunt? Or was it my mother saying, yes, send her the quilt?

My aunt was never very fond of me, so maybe I will choose to believe that after all of these years, I will finally find favor with her.

If you are wondering why I have a quilt, and my cousin, her granddaughter, didn’t, well, it’s because my mother asked her to make it. Of course, she paid her. It was a way for my mother to help my aunt, a WWII widow, make ends meet. She made one for my siblings as well. She may have intended to make one for each of her grandchildren and didn’t get around to it.

My mother’s family was a big part of our lives growing up, and my aunts and grandmother did quilts well. Having quilts made by any of them was something we were taught to cherish.

I admit I’m beginning to accept the idea that cardinals are conduits for messages from loved ones who have passed on. I hope my singing bird comes to see me again.

I can’t wait to see her again and hear her beautiful song.