Spirit Visits From A Loved One - Cardinal Spirit Poem
Bright Red Cardinals Often Carry Spirits
Spirit Visits of Our Deceased Loved Ones
It is believed by some that our deceased loved ones never leave us. We miss them dearly and they know it. Their spirits are said to make visits to protect us, guide us, provide us comfort, and to let us know they are always around. This belief never rang so true for me until my dear mother passed away.
It's been a little over seven years and I miss her with the same intensity as if she died yesterday. I still reach for the phone to call her and occasionally have to pause when I have something interesting to tell her. Within a half-second, I suddenly realize I cannot, at least not in the way I would prefer.
“The illusion is we are only physical.”
― Vanna Bonta, Flight: A Quantum Fiction Novel
My Mother's Spirit Lives
Since the day I returned home to Washington, DC after my mother's funeral in Buffalo, New York, she has been with me. My mother's loving spirit appeared for the first time in the form of a beautiful cardinal, as I pulled up in the car, in front of my house. This bird was curiously perched atop the house address light post. As soon as I looked at it, I instinctively knew it was my mother sending me a message through the cardinal, that she was here and that I would be okay.
To this day, I continue to see cardinals as they sporadically appear in my back and front yards. Is it the same bird each time? Not likely, but I know it's her spirit each time greeting me. One day, there were two outside the bathroom window on the roof. I believe she brought my deceased brother along (who had preceded her in death six years earlier) to say hello.
Before doing research for this topic, I had never heard of cardinals being one of the most common animals for spirit visitations. Writing a poem without this prior knowledge, confirmed for me that what I've known and felt in my own spirit and soul was not imagined. I offer the following poem in memory of my dearly departed mother whose spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of family members, friends and in the lovely life form of a graceful red bird.
A Poem About Spirit Visitation
"Cardinal Spirit"
Perched in front of my house
Dressed in your favorite color
You greeted me with your spirit
"Welcome Back!"
You appeared to let me know
"I am with you"
I see you in the morning
Flying through the air
Landing on the porch roof
Or perching on a branch of a tree
High in the sky, swooping downward
You stop in your tracks
Giving pause to your daughter
Looking out for you, expecting you
Knowing you will show
Keeping your visits of promise
Even at mid-afternoon
As I'm leaving out
There you are, waving your wing
Bidding me, "Have a good day"
My heart still broken
Losing you too soon
Needing to hear your voice
Missing our talks and laughs
The presence of the cardinal
Ushering in your spirit
Comforts my soul
JLE 2017
A Mother's Love Never Dies
“Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. Love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves it's own mark. To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Your Experience With Spirit Visits
Do you receive visits from your deceased loved ones?
Birds and Insects are Common Carriers of Spirit
Questions & Answers
How long did the spirit of your mother visit before she stopped?
I'd say she visited more often, maybe, the first two years. But I was also more engaged in looking for her. I occasionally see cardinals still. Now I feel it may be my sister as well who passed away in 2015. I believe both of them continue to visit.
Helpful 3My mothers' spirit is no longer visiting me. She stays with my daughters they see her in the form of a red bird all the time. Is it because they need her more than me?
That may be true, we cannot know for sure. But trust the fact that your mother's spirit is visiting all of you, maybe at different times. Perhaps you can do other things to keep your mom's memory alive when you're missing her, like journaling. You can speak to her spirit even if you don't always see the red bird.
Helpful 3How come my mother has not come to talk with me in my dreams?
We cannot always control what comes into our dreams. It could be a while before some people are visited by their loved ones in their dreams. It's a very individual thing that, in my experience, cannot be predicted. Continue to relive the best memories and thoughts of your beloved and hopefully you'll receive the visit soon.
Helpful 2
© 2017 Janis Leslie Evans
Please share your spirit visit experiences below. Thank you for reading and sharing.
AUTHORAlways appreciate your visits and the angels, Patricia. Thanks for reading, I love seeing the cardinals, too.
The cardinal seems like it brings me a connection to my Momma and Daddy. We had an abundance of them on our property as I was growing up and even when we moved to Florida when I graduated high school they seemed to follow. Whether or not it is truly a connection, it makes me happy when I see several flitting in my yard. Thanks for sharing. Angels are headed your way this afternoon....and I have NO doubt about Angels....divine and earthly. ps
- AUTHOR
You're very welcome, Kishore. I appreciate your feedback, thanks for reading.
Nice poem . I miss my mother always like you do i some times feel she is in her room taking afternoon nap or reading newspaper . I dont have any experience with spirits but i like reading this so touching thanks for the poem
- AUTHOR
I appreciate that but no, it would still violate copyright laws and TOS rules of HubPages. Thanks for reading. For any further inquiries, please email HubPages.
I'm doing an illustration for a children's book illustration contest. It's of a girl who has lost her grandpa, but little does she know he's right outside her window in the form of a cardinal. I was wondering if I could use an excerpt from your poem to place on the image? It would fit perfectly. I'm not getting paid for the image and it won't appear in any sort of publication or anything, and I'll give you credit for the verse. Would that be OK? I wanted to e-mail you personally rather than leaving this as a comment, but I can't figure out how to.
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Thanks so much for saying so, Brenda. I appreciate your comment.
Such a lovely comfort to receive. I think there would be no greater gift than to feel this feeling.
Great write.
- AUTHOR
Laura, thank you for saying so, glad you liked it. I appreciate your generous comment and shared experience.
Janis, what a beautiful poem and an uplifting message it brings us to know that loved ones play us a visit through nature. I too have experience this phenomenon and it is beautifully described in your poem. Thank you.
Please check out my work as well on this website at xoxreneesmithoxox
and I just want to say..... beautiful Just simply beautiful thank you for this inspiring piece Janis Leslie Evans and your mother is simply radiant and sorry for your loss. I think that one of hardest people to loose in your lifetime would definitely be your parents especially your own mother (yet alone your own father too).
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I see a cardinal feeding every now and then outside our window and I always feel like it's a good sign. It feels like a messenger and a reminder to keep doing my best each day.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for sharing your loss. I appreciate your visit, glad this poem article resonated with you.
I remember loosing a kid I love so much. I usually see him in dreams until it faded away with time. Although, he was a pupil in a school I taught, he was more like a son to me. I did write him a poem, yes.
Twinkle twinkle little star .... I will share it on my page soon
- AUTHOR
Yes, Mark, that's the feeling. You can't really describe it, just that it's a "knowing." Thanks for stopping by. You're welcome.
This poem resonates with me. While on the beach some time ago, I felt my uncle visit me in the form of a seagull with a bum leg. Don’t tell me how I knew it was him, I could just feel it. Thanks for reminding me of this, Mark
Oh no, I didn't either, though I still try on a regular basis and most survive despite my smothering over watering care!
- AUTHOR
Now I can appreciate even more your photographs and love of flowers. We are connected by our mothers' love of flowers. I was in garden with her all the time as a child. Didn't inherit her green thumb. :)
My Mom passed away over seven years ago too and I feel the same. I miss her so bad. Flowers are what I connect to her spirit I guess you might say. She is the one to cause my love for them and anytime I see beautiful ones I want to call her name and show them to her. I believe though she sees more things of beauty than I could imagine.
I felt your love in this as it matches mine. Who could we possibly love more than our mothers?
Beautiful picture of you and your mom.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the validation of Spirit. Our parents are indeed with us, Patricia. I appreciate your comment, catching the angels!
The photo of you and your Momma is touching to say the least. I get it with the whole cardinal thing. Cardinals were a favorite bird of my Daddy and when my yard is filled with them as it has been this year I know he is swirling around reminding me that after all of these years he is with me.
Angels are on the way this morning and Merry Christmas. ps
- AUTHOR
Awwww Shyron, this is so beautiful and heartfelt. I appreciate it very much. Thanks for the special visit.
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Janis, my dear friend, I am so sorry for the loss of you beautiful mother.
The mystery of a mother's love
Known only to God above
No man can ever understand
The care and guidance from a mother's hand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written just for Janis Leslie Evans
Blessings my friend
A hand to wipe away each tear
To you safe year after year
- AUTHOR
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Today when I was driving through the New Forest, a pure white horse walked straight towards my car. I stopped and waited, the horse walked to my window and I put my hand on the glass. The horse put her nose to the place my hand was. I felt it was my Mum supporting me.
Since Mum passed, my Father and I have been finding white fluffy feathers. Today I found a bright green feather in my path. I checked the colour meaning and Green can represent spirit animals.
Too much of a coincidence for me! x
- AUTHOR
It certainly was her, Glenn. You know when you know. Thanks for taking the time to read this and sharing your experience.
- AUTHOR
I do wish I felt her more, Kathleen. I dreamed about her last night. I still long to talk with her. I know how you feel. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your loss with me. I'll check out your poems.
No, but I wish I did. I lost my Mother four years ago. She was 88 and I thought I was prepared. Nothing prepares you for the hole that is left in your heart. I have a couple of poems on this subject also.
I feel closest to her when I walk the beach where she lived for the last 20 years of her life, but no, I don't feel her presence. I wish I did, but I know where she is and that I'll see her again.
This is very special and meaningful Janis. Sorry for your lose, but it's great that your mom continues to visit in spirit. I had a similar experience when my mother died. She always liked butterflies, and when she died, a butterfly came to visit. I was sure it was her in spirit because this butterfly followed us when my sister and I took a boat out for a day. I thought it unusual for a butterfly to follow a boat out to sea, so it had to be her.
- AUTHOR
Oh, bravewarrior, thank you for your comforting words. I really appreciate your visit, so glad you liked the poem.
Jan, this is a beautiful poem and a wonderful picture of you and your mom! Her eyes are full of life. I'm sure her cardinal spirit is very comforting for you. Thank you for sharing this.
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Thank you kindly, Audrey for saying so, and for your visit.
We find comfort where we can--and I am glad that you found yours in this beautiful bird. This is such a hopeful and lovely write--
- AUTHOR
Oh my goodness. This warms my heart. Thank you so much for sharing, Gina. Blessings to you and your son. I appreciate your visit.
Recently my youngest son told me that there was a "red bird" just looking at him through our living room window. I was curious so I went to see what he was talking about. There was a cardinal, just staring at him. I explained to him that I believed it was his dad, who died 2 years ago, coming to visit him to make sure I was taking care of him. He laughed, and said, "He shouldn't have any doubts."
The cardinal then flew away, after I had a chance to take a photo, of course, only to reappear at my son's bedroom window.....and again spent several minutes just looking at us.
- AUTHOR
So beautiful, Juanita. God sends his angels in many forms to comfort us. Thank you so much for stopping by to read this and share your experiences.
My deceased grandson spoked to me in the form of chimes hanging in a tree. He let me know that he was happy and I could let him go be God's angel.
I know my mom is always with me because I dream of her and there are cardinals that are constantly sitting in the tree right outside my kitchen window watching me. I never thought of it before that it is angel sent from my mom.
- AUTHOR
Oh Angela, that was a beautiful story. Thank you so much for validating the existence of our loved ones spirits. Yes, it is so wonderful how God orchestrates nature. Well put! Thank you for taking the time to visit and leave a very touching comment. I appreciate you sharing your experience.
What a lovely tribute to your mother, Janis! I agree that our loved ones visit us through many living creatures and blooming plants. When I was a little girl in Barbados I did not like it if a lady bug landed on or near me. My mother sensed my distress when a lady bug landed on my arm one day. She picked it up and allowed it to crawl in the palm of her hand and told me they were beautiful and brought good luck so I had nothing to fear! Many years later when she passed away and my cousin and I were standing over her casket saying our final good byes, a ladybug crawled out of the corsage that was pinned on her bosom and continued to traverse across her blouse before leaving our sight! At that moment I had a flash back to the time she shared the beauty and harmlessness of this little bug with me so many years ago. I knew she was saying I had nothing to fear and all was well and would continue to be so! To this day I cherish these bugs and always acknowledge her loving presence whenever I see one! Isn't it wonderful how God orchestrates nature!
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Clive. Thanks for stopping by.
Mother=Love=Life. Very Nice
- AUTHOR
Thanks, manatita, you made me smile. Your visits are always appreciated.
Nice poem and loving thoughts that bring hope and deepens faith. If something helps you; enhances Peace, then it is always useful. Much Love, Janice.
P.S. You look alike - a face of insight and hard work.
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Thank you for sharing that amazing experience, John. I will have to come by and read your hub. Glad you liked the poem.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Mary. It is comforting to know she's with me. I appreciate your visit.
What a wonderful comfort to you this must be. My aunt could always sense my father's presence when there was a smell of lavender in the air.
Janis, I am sure your mother is continuing to visit and watch over you as a cardinal and maybe in other ways. I experience similar things with my father would died about 13 years ago. We gave him a rose bush for his birthday and since his death it flowers every year on the anniversary of his death and birthday. I believe it is him saying he is still watching over us. I wrote a hub about it "My Father's Rose." Love your poem.
- AUTHOR
Absolutely she is, mactavers. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much for sharing, Susan. I love the rain visit. Water is life. Thanks for stopping by.
- AUTHOR
God's peace be with you, too, Patty. Thanks for sharing the history and folklore about the cardinal. I appreciate your visit.
My mother loved butterflies and she had numerous items around her home with butterfly images on them. (She even had towels with butterflies on them.) Whenever I see a butterfly out of season, or fly unexpectedly close, I know she is watching me.
@Susan - Do you remember in Disney's ""Pocahontas" where she recognized her mother visiting as colorful leaves and flowers on a breeze, and the background music was Pocahontas singing "All the Colors of the Wind"?
I know when my mom is around in the spring, the wind rises for no reason and blows blossoms off the trees, or I will feel drops of rain when there is no sign of it. On the other hand, I have other relatives and friends that visit, but often its not til later that I recognise them in their new shape. It gives me hope to feel and think this way.
In the Ohio Appalachian Mountains and on toward the center of the state, there is a belief that a deceased loved one's spirit will fly through the house shortly after the person passes and is buried or cremated.
I've heard several older people speak of this and it may come from the beliefs and true experiences of both Native Americans and the Irish and Scottish settlers. I know from my lineage that red symbolizes spirit and blood, so what better bird than this one to remind us of a lost loved one, even as the go-between messenger angel?
We've been fortunate to have cardinals nearby our houses during the whole winter, often gathering in front of the picture window with other birds, but the swath of red is awesome! I'll be looking for cardinals in Heaven one day.
Blessings to you in God.
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