Not Folk Tales, but rather Faith

 There's an age old saying that when a Cardinal comes to visit you, it's a departed loved one coming to reassure you and a signal that they are at peace.  I always thought this was a lovely comfort to those that are grieving, but in the back of my mind it felt like mourners "grasping at straws" to find somewhere to get comfort during the grieving process.  Well, I now feel a little differently because I can now say: "It happened to me" and became a demonstration of my faith at a time when I really needed it. 

 After my Mom's Memorial service, my husband and I were leaving the hotel we were staying at and putting our bags in the trunk.  The sun was shining, and the birds were chirping away as we made our way to the van. My husband looked at a nearby tree and said," Oh Look, Julie....a Cardinal." I gazed up and saw a tree filled with at least a dozen black birds and one lone Cardinal. I immediately thought of the "when a recently departed loved one comes to visit" story.  It was surreal but in a strange way comforting to me. The tears started to flow, and I looked up and said, "Hi Mom." I knew I had to regain my composure, so I could drive. By the time I wiped my tears and collected myself, I looked up and all the branches were bare. 

Thinking pragmatically, even if you don't believe that a Cardinal is literally the spirit of a loved one it gives me comfort in knowing that, and believing that, the Holy Spirit is at work here.  Sometimes things that happen in our lives just can't be explained away and categorized as coincidence. Matters of faith and matters of the heart are well....just that: taken by faith.

My faith has renewed my spirit and helped me through many things in my life.  Most recently, it has helped and is continuing to provide comfort for the grieving process. Many Bible verses address GRIEF, but this is one of my favorites that encourages hope for tomorrow:

"Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning" Psalms 30:5

This simple verse says to me that weeping and grief are indeed part of the process, but there is hope for tomorrow.

Those of us that are left behind when our loved ones pass, take comfort in knowing that the memory of them is still with us, always a part of us.  The following poem was read at my Mom's service and helps us to find comfort in the fact that YES, we will remember:

‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.

It's a wonderful reminder that time marches on, but we can still remember our loved ones and they continue to be a part of our lives. Good choice of poems, Mom.

So when you see a Cardinal, no matter what the circumstance, I hope you find JOY in the beauty of seeing it. Take a few moments to think of someone you have loved and lost.