A creative writer at heart, Janis was first published at age 11. Most of her poems express core issues of love, loss, trauma, and healing.

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.

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 Experience With Spirit Visits

Birds and Insects are Common Carriers of Spirit

Questions & Answers

Question: My 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?

Answer: 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.

Question: How long did the spirit of your mother visit before she stopped?

Answer: 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.

Question: How come my mother has not come to talk with me in my dreams?

Answer: 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.

© 2017 Janis Leslie Evans

Please share your spirit visit experiences below. Thank you for reading and sharing.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on June 20, 2020:

I do believe. I had a few cardinal visits over the last two weeks. Thanks for reading.

Anupam Mitu from MUMBAI on June 15, 2020:

Extraordinary! Do you really believe in such sort of connection?

I too have a memory. I will share it in my next write up. I wish you will go through that once. thank you

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on December 20, 2019:

Hi Verlie. Thank you for saying so. This poem article holds a very special place in my heart. Glad you liked it. I appreciate your visit.

Verlie Burroughs from Canada on December 18, 2019:

Dear Janis, how deeply comforting it must be to feel a spiritual connection with your Mom through the Cardinal. And what a brilliant bright presence this bird is in your poem as well. Gorgeous picture of you two together. Cheers!

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on November 17, 2019:

Always appreciate your visits and the angels, Patricia. Thanks for reading, I love seeing the cardinals, too.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on November 14, 2019:

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

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on October 21, 2019:

You're very welcome, Kishore. I appreciate your feedback, thanks for reading.

Kishore Kumar from TRIVANDRUM on October 19, 2019:

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

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on August 30, 2019:

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.

Tracy W from Maryland, USA on August 30, 2019:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on August 25, 2019:

Thanks so much for saying so, Brenda. I appreciate your comment.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on August 23, 2019:

Such a lovely comfort to receive. I think there would be no greater gift than to feel this feeling.

Great write.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on August 05, 2019:

Laura, thank you for saying so, glad you liked it. I appreciate your generous comment and shared experience.

Laura Grace from Tampa, Florida on August 05, 2019:

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.

Renee Daniella Smith from Canada: Brampton,Ontario on May 20, 2019:

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).

J Beadle from Wisconsin on May 20, 2019:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on December 24, 2018:

Thank you for sharing your loss. I appreciate your visit, glad this poem article resonated with you.

David John Ekanem from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. on December 23, 2018:

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

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on December 01, 2018:

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.

Mark Tulin from Ventura, California on December 01, 2018:

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

Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on February 12, 2018:

Oh no, I didn't either, though I still try on a regular basis and most survive despite my smothering over watering care!

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on February 12, 2018:

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. :)

Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on February 12, 2018:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on December 07, 2017:

Thanks for the validation of Spirit. Our parents are indeed with us, Patricia. I appreciate your comment, catching the angels!

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on December 06, 2017:

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

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on November 13, 2017:

Awwww Shyron, this is so beautiful and heartfelt. I appreciate it very much. Thanks for the special visit.

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on November 13, 2017:

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

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on October 06, 2017:

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your experience.

Allie on October 06, 2017:

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

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on July 29, 2017:

It certainly was her, Glenn. You know when you know. Thanks for taking the time to read this and sharing your experience.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on July 29, 2017:

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.

Kathleen Cochran from Atlanta, Georgia on July 29, 2017:

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.

Glenn Stok from Long Island, NY on July 29, 2017:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on May 03, 2017:

Oh, bravewarrior, thank you for your comforting words. I really appreciate your visit, so glad you liked the poem.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on May 03, 2017:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on April 03, 2017:

Thank you kindly, Audrey for saying so, and for your visit.

Audrey Howitt from California on April 03, 2017:

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--

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on April 02, 2017:

Oh my goodness. This warms my heart. Thank you so much for sharing, Gina. Blessings to you and your son. I appreciate your visit.

Gina Welds Hulse from Rockledge, Florida on April 02, 2017:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 30, 2017:

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.

Juanita Williams on March 29, 2017:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 29, 2017:

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.

Angela Wall on March 28, 2017:

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!

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 28, 2017:

Thanks, Clive. Thanks for stopping by.

Clive Williams from Jamaica on March 28, 2017:

Mother=Love=Life. Very Nice

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 28, 2017:

Thanks, manatita, you made me smile. Your visits are always appreciated.

manatita44 from london on March 28, 2017:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 27, 2017:

Thank you for sharing that amazing experience, John. I will have to come by and read your hub. Glad you liked the poem.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 27, 2017:

Thanks, Mary. It is comforting to know she's with me. I appreciate your visit.

Mary Wickison from Brazil on March 27, 2017:

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.

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on March 27, 2017:

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.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 27, 2017:

Absolutely she is, mactavers. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 27, 2017:

Thanks so much for sharing, Susan. I love the rain visit. Water is life. Thanks for stopping by.

Janis Leslie Evans (author) from Washington, DC on March 27, 2017:

God's peace be with you, too, Patty. Thanks for sharing the history and folklore about the cardinal. I appreciate your visit.

mactavers on March 27, 2017:

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.

Patty Inglish MS from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on March 27, 2017:

@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"?

Susan Fisher on March 27, 2017:

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.

Patty Inglish MS from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on March 27, 2017:

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.