Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentines Day Cardinal Story

I received the sweetest cardinal story on Valentines Day!  
I'd like to share it here for the same reason my new 
friend Sharon is allowing me to.  
To bring hope, faith and inspiration to anyone in need.  
We pray that all who grieve will find the gift of the cardinal
 or the cardinal find them!

My Valentines Day Gift from Sharon to Me and Now to YOU:

Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day!  I came across your web site a few years ago when I was searching for stories about cardinals, and for some reason I was led back to it tis week and also to your Facebook page.  Haven't fully read your Blog, so you may probably already are familiar with The Cardinal Experience web page.  I found that page awhile ago and posted my story on it and of course there are many other stories about cardinals posted there.  I lost my brother also to suicide about three years ago.  Stay encouraged!

Here is a link to my story on The Cardinal Experience page or you can also read the story below:

God Wanted Me to Smile Today
My brother died a little over a year ago. He took his own life. It was one of the most devastating things I have ever experienced. I have lost others, including my mom and my dad but the grief from suicide is different - it's a grief that makes you wonder eternally if there is something you could have done. So the days leading up to the anniversary of his death were tough. I had been asking God for a sign that everything was okay -something that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, would comfort me and let me know that everything was going to be alright.

On the date of the anniversary, my family and I were getting packed to take my daughter on a college visit. I spent the morning thinking about my brother and how we always went to see the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team play. It's one of the things I remember about him most. How he loved those Cardinals! He had once even taken me to see them play in the World Series. As I recalled the fond memories of us and the Cardinals, I decided that, before taking my bath, I should go downstairs to check my phone... I knew my sister would be calling on that day to commemorate my brother's loss. As I passed the window, I stopped in my tracks as a bright red cardinal walked across the patio. Tears filled my eyes because Cardinals had been on my mind all morning and now here was a beautiful cardinal sent to me on this significant day. I went to get a camera but he flew away. He returned but still he was he was too fast for me. "God wanted me to smile today," I thought. I went on about my business, but a little later that morning, I said "I am just going to look out the window just one more time and see if I see him." At that very instant, there he was again and he flew from the tree outside my window and across the yard. Amazing!

How amazing that this happened on this day, the date of my brother's death... Had it been any other day, I just would have said "oh there's a cardinal" and never thought any more about it. But because it was that day, it was amazing! But even more so, I thought about the time of day that this happened. And after thinking about it and even researching my old phone records, I determined that it had to be within 5 to 10 minutes of the time I received the call a year before about his death. Truly, maybe even the exact moment!

Since this occurrence, I did some Internet searches for "signs from God" and the "meaning of cardinals." That's when I discovered that the cardinal has a symbolic and spiritual meaning to many. I had only thought my encounter special because of the connection my brother and I had to the Cardinals, and how God had chosen to send this cardinal as a sign for me because it is something that would mean something to me. I had no idea of the many people who have seen cardinals during time of loss, grief and sadness and who felt like they were being sent a message from God (or their loved ones) to say that everything is going to be alright. Reading the many stories has inspired me, given me great hope, and strengthened my faith. How wonderful that God would take time out to show me something that would get my attention, make me smile, and bring me comfort, as I had asked!
------------------
Afterword:
So when you're feeling sad and low
God wants completely that you know
How very much He loves you so
He wants to make you smile!

 Sharon Johnson

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did..... I am truly blessed with these beautiful cardinal connections of love.  
❤❤❤Jeni

Thursday, February 13, 2014

A Cardinal Story


A very special Cardinal story from a LRB friend


Sheris Diane Haines:
"There's a bit of a story behind this picture. This was taken out of my mom's kitchen window as I was pleading with her to go to the hospital. Longer story short she is having open heart surgery tomorrow, Valentines Day. But my grandmother, my moms mom had everything cardinal in her house down to the salt shakers and magnets on her fridge. She passed 6 years ago but I told my Mom that grandma had sent reinforcements. There are 7 in this shot but there were 25 or more outside. She is my guardian Angel she sends me cardinals every time I need them."

February 13

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Cardinal Experiences

"A cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you. Look for them, they'll appear."
~Todd J. Zimmer