Spirit Visits From Loved Ones - 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 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
Birds and Insects are Common Carriers for Spirit
Your Experience With Spirit Visits
Do you receive visits from your deceased loved ones?
Questions & Answers
How 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.
© 2017 Janis Leslie Evans
Please share your spirit visit experiences below. Thank you for reading and sharing.
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.
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.
- AUTHOR
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.
- AUTHOR
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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