Words for Wednesday: Message from a Cardinal

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Dad’s Memorial Service was Saturday, May 24. While contemplating the upcoming afternoon service over coffee, a flash of red caught my eye out the huge window of our downstairs “apartment.” It was a female cardinal. I hastily grabbed my phone and successfully captured this image.

female cardinal
Female Cardinal

Ecstatic to have captured my first EVER cardinal with my lens ( and eyeballs), I wondered if seeing a cardinal was a sign of good luck. Google told me that not only was seeing a cardinal good luck, but they also bring a message from a recently passed loved one.

“The Cardinals are the messengers of God, for those who hope and seek blessings for their ailing souls.” – Victoria McGovern

Thank you, Dad, I love you forever. 🐦

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89 responses to “Words for Wednesday: Message from a Cardinal”

  1. this is such a heart tug – and likely a sign or visit from your dad and oh the joy
    also, this is such a colorful cardinal
    (and did you know that in my book, avian friends, I have a poem about seeing a cardinal on a walk, in the ice cold winter, walking with my lab. I will have to share it sometime

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a day of family strife (the say of the service) which I won’t go into, Yvette, but the female cardinal appeared at our window. Definitely a message from Dad, sent by God. It shut down the family drama and put everything into proper perspective.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. oh this gets even better – to now hear that this gem of a bird shit down some drama – ahhhhhh – the little things can be so potent

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Sweet message – and from a bird. Such a beautiful picture, too. Have a great week. I hope you are enjoying the wonderful weather that is going on in Portland this week. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Marsha! Its a bit warmer here. We’re getting a bit of the smoke coming from the Dalles area.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My friend Kathy was stuck on 84 for about an hour because of a fire in Rowena. She lives near the Dalles.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. They certainly are known messengers of the beyond. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was the coolest thing to happen to me in a while.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Beautiful photo and beautiful sighting. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Donna! Her appearance was a welcome surprise and a balm for my soul.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. She’s a beauty, Terri, and what a lovely gift. A touching post, my friend. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Diana. Blessings come in small red packages 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Beautiful Cardinal Terri! I’ve never seen one. Hope it brings you wonderful luck!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Anne. I’d forgotten they are found in Arizona. They brought me good luck and blessings when I needed them.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Beautiful image of a beautiful bird. I had one hop around my campsite last year when I was feeling sad missing Katie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, that’s cool, Dawn. Thank you!

      Like

  8. How special about the female cardinal, Terri, and she showed up at the perfect time. We have male and female cardinals that frequent our feeders, and I always feel they are sending a message. 💗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Eugi, it was a thrill to see my first one, then discover it carried a message for me. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Terri.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. It’s an amazing picture, Terri.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. How special to have the Cardinal visit you as you pondered your dad’s afternoon memorial service. Yes, the cardinals are symbolic for a person who recently passed away sending a message to you. I had heard that and I believe I have written about it before as it pertained to my mom. I’m glad you got to not only see the Cardinal but also photograph it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a wonderful moment to see her and to know she brought a message. Dad was saying, don’t worry be happy 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That gave you joy before the sobering afternoon ahead.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. That is sooooo exciting! Love him.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. What a pretty bird! Nature gave the males brighter colors, but the females are more nuanced and better accessorized. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Janis! We felt so blessed to see her! She posed so nicely 😍

      Like

  13. That is beautiful Terri, the photo and your message 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Our red cardinal greeting card was always a favorite among our customers. Wish I had one to send you now. Nice capture.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Suzanne! I’ve seen greeting cards like that in the past, very special!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I believe it is a blessing to see cardinal, too. Beautiful capture, Terri

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Hazel! It was my first cardinal sighting and on such an important day ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, it’s like a coincidence? You’re most welcome, Terri.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Janet, and so lucky!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Wow! What a lucky spot!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. What a beautiful and heartwarming message you got, Terri!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was special and so needed, Egidio, thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. What a wonderful post.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Beautiful bird, and its sweet consolation.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Susanne, perfectly said!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. What an incredible visit from heaven. My heart is filled with joy for you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Nancy! It was perfect timing and so very welcome 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Lovely sentiments and a pretty bird.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Graham! I got 2 bird firsts this trip, the cardinal and a roadrunner!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Awww..he was trying to let you know it was okay.He was okay. I love this.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Dawn. It was a cool experience!

      Like

      1. After my father passed I stepped outside. It was dark with a bright sky full of stars and this sliver of a moon. I looked up and knew he was smiling at me.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Aww, how wonderful! It’s amazing to witness these signs sent just at the right time.

        Like

      3. Well, I suspect that if we were to analyze this logically we would say that we find comfort in things that are just beyond the norm that occur at an integral time. But I am not doing that. I prefer my original version and every time I see the moon like that I think of him.
        Not that I don’t think of him all the time anyway, but when there is a sliver a moon it smiling at me it makes me smile back.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. “Just beyond the norm…” that’s the key, Dawn. Logical? Spiritual? It still builds my own faith, and truly exciting to see a bird i won’t see at home 😊

        Like

      5. I can see a sliver of a moon every few weeks, still makes me smile.

        Liked by 1 person

  23. A beautiful photo

    Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re most welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Beautiful capture, Terri. I didn’t know that about cardinals but I hope she brought a sense of comfort.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. She definitely did that, Cathy. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Yes! I saw a red cardinal at my sister’s funeral many years ago. I knew it was her. I love the female cardinal brought this message to you. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Isn’t that amazing, Colleen? There was some family strife that morning. Her surprising presence really soothed and grounded me.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh, gosh. Isn’t there always some strife during these high emotion times? Sending you more hugs. ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’ll take them, Colleen! We’re in our happy place, now, as we travel through gorgeous Utah on our way to Dillon, Montana. We’ll be home Friday afternoon. AZ is too hot for me!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Same for me, Terri. Enjoy your drive. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

  26. Great shot Terri! Here is what they say about encountering a female Cardinal………..Encountering a female cardinal is often interpreted as a positive sign, potentially indicating good news, a bright future, or a message from a loved one. Some believe it signifies the arrival of positive energy and a reminder that loved ones in Heaven are near and aware of you. 

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Wayne. It was thrilling just to see her and I knew there was a signicance to her visit.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. I love that. BOLO cardinals…

    Liked by 1 person

  28. How very special. I believe the cardinal was sending you a message. xo

    Liked by 1 person

  29. What a beautiful messenger. My first interpretation was of the religious type of Cardinal, but perhaps they’re not so very far apart. Sending hugs, Terri xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jo! Your first interpretation crossed my mind too, but, the likelihood of seeing Catholic cardinal in my brother’s yard was as probable as seeing snow there! 😆

      Like

      1. Nice that you can still smile, Terri. R.I.P, Dad xx

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes, Dad lived a long life, 88 years, Jo. By Sunday I felt relief and peace. The service was beautiful and God placed a special touch on details I hadn’t thought of. 🙏

        Like

      3. Wonderful! It wasn’t very different for mine xx

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Terri, this Cardinal had an extra special message for you that day. Beautiful capture!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It sure was, Beth. It was a stressful morning for reasons I won’t go into, but she showed up at the perfect time. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

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About Me

I’m a former university adjunct Professor and retired recreation & parks practitioner living in North-Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle, including photography, friends, fitness, and fun.

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