Today is my mother’s birthday. Just thinking those words makes my heart sink. She would’ve been 82.
But just now outside my window, I spied a cardinal hopping through the grass. I remembered hearing about cardinals being symbolic of angels.
I tapped cardinals and angels into the search bar of my phone.
“Cardinals mostly symbolize devotion and determination; it is the visitor from heaven.
‘Cardinals appear when angels are near,’ as Victoria McGovern said, the Cardinals are platonic, a precious message God sends to the world. The Cardinals are the messengers of God for those who hope and seek blessings for their ailing souls.
The Cardinal represents beauty in the dark times, hope in the sorrow, and renewal in the harsh winter. It is said that if you see a cardinal bird, it symbolizes your deceased loved ones are watching out for you.”
kidadl.com
My mother was always an angel. Now she has wings and a halo to prove it. And today I heard from her AND God. Happy Birthday, Dear Mama! I hope you hear me, too.

So glad you saw a cardinal today!
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That little cardinal made my day. ❤️
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Bless you. She is with you always just differently ❤
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Thank you, Pauline. Her voice is still on the answering machine at my dad’s house. Sometimes I call when I know he isn’t home just to hear it.
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O Crystal I hope that brings more comfort than tears. Bless you sweet lady ❤️
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Cardinals were my mom’s favorite bird. Now I know why. I hope your mother can see AND hear you too, Crystal. I’ve vowed to act like my mom is still watching and listening—even if she’s not. PS. I bet both our moms are.😇😇
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It’s selfish of me, I know, to wish her back into the problems of this world, especially knowing what a perfect day she must be having upstairs. Still, my little red friend brought me comfort.
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I’m so sorry you lost your mother while still so young, Crystal, but even in grieving you’re choosing your attitude: to remember and celebrate the angel she was. May God bless your remembering with peace, comfort, and contentment.
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Thank you, Nancy. I’m thankful for her in so many ways—for so many moments together, for the example she set, for never giving up on me.
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That is absolutely precious, seeing a cardinal, and recognizing the significance, especially today. Happy birthday to your Mama, hope she’s had a chance to meet mine, chat about their girls! Hugs and love to you my friend, the birthdays are the hardest. xxoo
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I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the next one, Cheryl. ❤️
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Hugs, Crystal. But I know from my own experience, having lost my mother 48 years ago when I was 28, that she’s never left me, not for a minute. That’s what that beautiful (actually, handsome) cardinal was reminding you.
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Thank you, Jane. This is true. ❤️
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Hello Crystal, Very well written. Peace and Love. Jerry
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✌🏻and ❤️ to you, Jerry!
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I didn’t know that about cardinals. How wonderful that you saw one!
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I’ve only recently heard it myself and kept my eyes on my windows all day.
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This is so precious Crystal. Happy Birthday to her. Blessings and hugs to you as you remember her and know that she is looking over you.
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Thank you, Manu! I believe this birthday was among the very happiest! ❤️
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I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️ and so thankful that the cardinal brought you peace and joy
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Thank you, LaShelle. I miss my Mom, but I understand the circle of life. And I believe in God. This brings me comfort.
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I do too! I’m thankful that helps you.
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💗💗
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A lovely sign of hope. And a lovely post of remembrance. We move on, but take the good reminders when we get them, don’t we?
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We do! I love a good sign.
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You Mom just stopped by to see how you were doing Crystal. She is still with you. Stay well.
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Yes, she did. Thank you, Allan!
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I imagine that, through the presence of the cardinal, your Mom seeks to lift you from the sorrow of her loss. She is at peace ❤
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I know she is. Thank you, Rosaliene!
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Yesterday was your mother’s birthday, Crystal, yet she’s the one who brought you the present. Perfectly in keeping with a lifetime of giving, right?
I never heard that before about cardinals being messengers from a better place, but that makes sense. After all, they’re so vibrant and cheerful – in stunning contrast to the others. Heaven would send a few bright messengers to invigorate us, the drab winter birds.
Sure, your Mom – my Dad too, and so many others – is in a far better place, but she’s just checking in to make sure you’re still okay. The few decades until you see her again are nothing compared to the Eternity you’ll enjoy, but your mother knows perfectly well how much these visits mean to you. Obviously, she hasn’t forgotten about you. Juist the opposite, in fact.
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A lifetime of gifts from my mom and then some. ❤️ Thank you, my friend.
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What a lovely moment for you, Crystal. My mum died 20 years ago last January at the age of 69. On my travels I like to try and light a candle in a local Catholic church. In Baja, I tried without success to light a candle. I walked out into the Plaza, a bit saddened. Suddenly a yellow butterfly lighted on my shoulder. My husband said it was my mum telling me that it was okay. I wrote a post about it and one of my followers who is a published author asked me if he could write a short story about the butterfly which is now published. Life is full of small miracles and signs. My condolences on the passing of your mother. I still dream of my mum at least once a week. Hugs. K x
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Thank you, Kerry. I love this! I believe in butterfly messengers, too.
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🦋
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The Absence of someone loved is such a wonderful lesson with multiple facets. It doesn’t make it less difficult to bear the absence, and yet adds meaning to the question of why our lives exist as they do. Take care my friend.
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Thank you, Bryan. I understand the circle of life. Understanding and embracing are two separate things, but little things like cardinals on a cold day do bring comfort.
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I believe your mother is looking down from Heaven, and smiling at how proud of you she is.
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Thank you, Mark. I hope so. ❤️
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Thank you for sharing!!… 🙂
A Letter From Heaven
When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
Filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me
I know you’ll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me
I’m right there in your heart.
(Alena Hakala Meadows)
Until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
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The sun is shining, and birds are singing today. Thanks for visiting, Dutch!
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Hugs to you Crystal!
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Thank you, Belladonna! ❤️
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