Cardinals- I See Them All The Time!

Cardinals are beautiful, and I feel like I see them all the time!

On Friday, I went out to run at the Greeneway. I saw quite a few cardinals while I was out there.  And every time I see one, I can't help but smile.

I don't remember seeing them a lot... or at least I didn't notice them that often.  And then my uncle (my mom's brother) passed away.  I was working at a radio station in Newnan, GA at that point.  I was devastated when my uncle passed away.  He was such a great man.  And one of the BEST story tellers I've ever known.  I loved spending time with him.  He was such a hard worker, smart, and funny.

So, not long after he passed away, I pulled up at the radio station.  And there in the bushes-- a cardinal.

From then on, I saw them frequently.  At first it made me teary-eyed.  I really miss him.  But I finally started smiling because it was just such a beautiful reminder!

Then... my other uncle (my dad's brother) passed away the same year I moved to Augusta.  Again, I was devastated.  He had such a huge impact on my life.  He was smart, and level-headed.  I always felt like he listened.  And he was SO proud of everything I'd accomplished. Not long before he passed I was showing him pictures of the house I was buying.  I could tell he was so proud.

He taught me so much.  Because he didn't have kids of his own, me and my sisters were a bit spoiled by him!  He lived in Atlanta for years.  I remember going to spend time with him during the summer.  He'd take us to the movies, Braves games, the Zoo.  Such beautiful memories.

Once he passed away, I feel like I started seeing even more cardinals than before.  Usually in pairs... sometimes 3 at a time.  Perhaps the third is my aunt (mom's sister) that passed.  That woman was one of the funniest ladies I've ever met. So many great memories there too!

I've often heard, and read, that seeing cardinals is representing a loved one you've lost.  And I couldn't agree more.  It brings me peace.  It reminds me of those wonderful memories with my loved ones.

I've been having some ups and downs lately.  So when I went to run on Friday, I was overjoyed to see a few cardinals along the way.  I even got pretty close to one and snapped a picture.  They are such beautiful birds!  I don't know if it's just that I'm more aware of them than I was before... or if it truly is a sign from heaven that they're watching over me.  I really believe it is a sign from heaven!

For the most part-- birds freak me out!  Ha.  When birds get too close to me, I'm always afraid they'll attack me.  I worked at a pharmacy in my small hometown, and the girl had a bird that I was supposed to feed when someone else was on vacation.  That thing did NOT like me.  And the feeling was mutual!  I was terrified!  In my neighborhood sometimes, I'll be walking the dogs and hear birds around me.  I'm always afraid of what they'll do.  And for a brief moment as I type this-- I think about Schitt's Creek and the crows.  Haha.

But I've NEVER felt that way about a cardinal.  Is that crazy?

Do you have something that reminds you of loved ones you've lost?