This is a blog dedicated to my dear sister Mary who had so much to live for and so much to give ~ she gave all she had and it is all treasured now... until we see again.
Friday, May 21, 2021
Morning Cardinal
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Sister sign
Signs:πΌπͺΆ❤️
I had a sign from my sis today.
It's been a sad today as I've been talking to my BFF of 33 years in Houston who's sad because it was today a year ago her sister Anita went to heaven.
It got me thinking about my sis Mary, wondering if she met my bff's sister up there.
On my rush to Penn Station I was stopped in my tracks at the date on the sidewalk..... JULY 31!!!!!
My sister's Bday!!
I'll take that as a great big YES to my question. What a happy thought.π¦
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Sticker from Above
It's official, I'm fully vaccinated!!
I just left the place I got my shot and when I asked for a sticker at the check out point they said they didn't give them out there, only the nurses did π₯Ί... I was bummed because they gave them after my first shot. Yes I'm a baby and wanted my sticker (LoL), but oh well. I considered going back to the nurse to ask for one but thought I would certainly look silly so I left.
Well......I was halfway to my car and look what was in my path:
Sunday, April 4, 2021
Easter Cardinal
A beautiful bright red cardinal flew in front of my car as I was driving down my street headed home with Easter treats. I wasn't driving very fast and it was so close to my window that I caught a full glimpse of his brilliant redness. I gasped and instantly felt a kind of pure love throughout my whole being, then, exhaling that gasp, a smile automatically spread across my face and I said Mary's name out loud without even thinking about it. I knew I had just received a visit and it was the most beautiful feeling. Smiles all day!!
I am truly #blessedandgrateful π
Monday, March 22, 2021
Angel Mary
ANGEL MARY
Angel Mary up above,
Family and friends still feel your love.
The vibrant smile upon your face,
A beautiful image to never erase.
A glowing spirit like no other,
Cherished forever by your mother.
Such selfless love you always gave,
To siblings Lisa, Jeni and Dave.
Special moments to never forget,
Priceless gifts for Kelsey and Brett.
Many embrace your signs from Heaven,
Each cardinal, feather and 11:11.
Little red bird; angelic white dove,
Angel Mary, up above.
~Leesah Noon Stapf (2019)
AKA: Caring Cardinals ❤️
Loving Mary Forever
πΌToday is a very special day. It's the day I celebrate my Mary ❤️! 13 years ago she became an angel. She is and always has been my shining π star! My dear sister, my dear friend!
She may be gone from Earth but she is very much a part of me everyday. Showering me with amazing signs and love from above, strengthening my faith, keeping me strong.
Thank you everyone for loving and celebrating Mary with me!
#LovingMaryForever
Monday, January 18, 2021
Maria ~ Divine Connections
I received a heart warming email from a beautiful soul named Adriana. She found my Mary blog somehow and was drawn to read through it and reach out to me to let me know a little bit about her and her loss too.
My name is Adriana.
I lost my sister Maria on December 13, 2015. She was born on March 15. My symbol for her is red cardinals and lady bugs. I’m crying reading your blog. Thank you for your words. Adriana
There is a divine connection out there, up above, all around that brings us together. I like to believe it is our loved ones who are watching over us and sending us signs and connecting us so we can share in our grief and so our faith can be once again renewed in the fact that life does go on and we don't really lose our loved ones, they are with us always. Helping us, guiding us if we allow. All we have to do is Believe and the signs and magic appears.
Adriana and I continued to communicate via email a couple more times. I was so happy to hear from her and I didn't even know her. I had this feeling though as if we were connected. It seems we were connected by love, a kind of love you don't experience on earth in a physical means, its a divine connectiveness kind of love that is from somewhere else. I feel like it's a special kind of love that one can feel only when you are truly open and believe in the magic that is all around us. Its pure. I want to share her email that she sent about an experience she shared with me about a friend of hers who was having a reading from a medium because I think it should be out there and heard. I've refrained from writing about my experiences with psychic mediums in the past because of the judgements I know are out there regarding this topic. But I am past that now and think its time to share. All my experiences have been a strong confirmation regarding all the signs, synchronicities and visits I've had. Stay tuned, I plan to share my experiences soon. In the meantime, here is Adriana's beautiful story:
Hi Jeni,
I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I’m glad you will be posting more on your site. It brought me a lot of comfort. I’m sorry about your sister’s death. Thank you for responding to my email (I did not expect to hear from you).
A few days ago, my friend was getting a reading done by a medium. I was very skeptical but tried to keep an open mind and heart.
The beginning of the reading she said I can hear a cardinal singing outside your window. I smiled. A cardinal arrived a few days ago for the arrival of Spring.
I listened to the medium from another room while my friend got a reading. She was so accurate in everything she said. My heart was drawn to the room where my friend was getting her reading done (I sat in front of the computer).
I said in my mind, if this medium is real, Maria come through to me in some way. A few seconds later she says, I keep heating a ‘ah’ sound...then she says....Mary....Maria.
My friend responded immediately by saying it was my sister. The medium described her perfectly. The medium described her personality, her illness, the age she died (44 years old), her profession.......I started crying when the medium was describing her. The medium said that she is always with me....I guess that is the question I must say every day....
I say: “Maria, can you hear me?” I say: “Maria, are you here?
I wish I could have heard more.....but the reading was for my friend. I didn’t want to intrude. All of her dead relatives came forward. Amazing.....
I wish I could have had a conversation with my sister. The medium said your sister is so quiet, so smart. Dr. Maria. She had her PhD in environmental sciences. Maria studied and taught before she became so sick.....
Anyway, I guess I’m sharing because your site touched me deeply...all the signs that you notice. Like whispers from God, angels,.......
I think that when we die, our bodies are deceased, but our spirits, or souls move to another dimension. I’m not always in touch with that spiritual dimension. I try to sit in silence in nature to access it.
I really like your uplifting words and stories. I am grateful I came across them.
Thank you for sharing
My love and my heart go out to you Adriana and I thank our sisters for connecting us. Keep on believing and never give up hope. Maria is with you always and ready for you to hear her as the medium hears her. XOXO Love, you sister through our sisters, Jeni
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Mary Mask orders
My dear friend Leesah Marie from Caring Cardinals sent me a beautiful CC Covid-19 mask to help keep me safe.
I took a picture and sent it to her with lots of love and gratitude. She loved it so much she asked if she could use my picture on her Caring Cardinals website and I happily gave her permission....
Only moments after she posted my picture, she received an order for two masks from a "Mary" ❤️
#nocoincidences #lovefromabove
Messages of Love
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Love from Above
I ALWAYS seem to get a sign at the most auspicious times. Times where my loved one up above wants me to know that she is here with me. Today I wasn't feeling very well, I was up all night with a belly ache, so I headed to Panera for a late lunch of some brothy soup and then this license plate appeared in my view and took my breath away. I knew immediately it was my Mary sending me a sign π❤️πΌπ✨ #lovefromabove
Sunday, September 6, 2020
Magical Moment
I'm doing a 21 day writing journey put on by Mike Dooley (TUT). Each day there is a theme word. On this day it was "Magic".
I have so many magical moments in my life it's surreal. Just moments ago I was writing a story for my day four (4) theme "Intuition", and a magical moment happened.
I wrote about a time I was called or nudged to go to the roof of my building i manage in NYC. No reason or feeling of reason was given in this nudge and I didn't take the time to question it, I just went. I was greeted by a beautiful red cardinal in a tree on the roof there in NYC, followed by a little blacked eyed junco sitting right beside it. I was in complete awe and knew it was a sign from above. My sister had just passed in the months before and she was showering me with signs everyday (birds, orbs, songs, 11:11, objects moving, feathers, electric signs, synchronicities, people). I was surprised to see this beautiful bird so high up in the sky and in nyc where no parks were nearby.
As I was writing this experience at my dining room table, I had the back door open for some fresh air, all of a sudden a cardinal appeared just outside the door staring in and chirping at me.
That is the kind of Magic that happens to me almost daily.
Love from above letting me know that I am not alone!!!
Friday, July 31, 2020
Happy Birthday Mary
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Love from Above
I was just sitting at the dining room table telling (okay maybe whining) to Brittany how much pain I'm still in with my shoulder surgery recovery and how I can't take anything for the inflammation because of how sensitive my stomach is ,(no ibuprofen, no steroids, no pain meds....) And then I look out and see a beautiful red cardinal on the outside umbrella staring directly in at me. π² I grabbed my phone to snap shot of him but only caught him in flight (see the arrow), until I went outside and saw him hopping around the grass almost as if he was waiting for me. I felt almost an instant relief and an ease in the pain I was just talking/crying about. Sweet Saturday....#LovefromAbove ❤️
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Feathers in my Path
I was feeling a little down on my train ride home today. Some Mary memories were popping up in my thoughts and I felt the break in my heart that's there.π (Im okay, this happens sometimes when you lose a part of you) - I know she's still here..... Especially when a random feather just appears!
Like this one that showed up just now in the garage on the way to my car.
#LovingMaryForever #featherinmypath #lovefromabove #signsarereal
Taft Raider HS - Memorial Page
Mary gave her heart and soul to everything she did and everyone she met. She was my little sister and I was her #1 fan (still am). She lived and loved with no judgement and was a true cheerleader in her life as well as her schools. She accomplished a lot in her little time in life. Always giving it her all. She danced and cheered her way through high school and in college too where she graduated on the Deans list from Howard Payne University. She competed in triathlons and even co-ed roller-blading races - yes, she won most of them. She was humble too - a beautiful quality that shone through in her compassion she had for everyone else. She left us with precious gems - Kelsey and Brett - who are shining legacies. She left us too soon, but she is all around us and cheers for us all. She shows us her signs and when i catch them, i share them on a blog i had made just for her:
Link to Loving Mary Forever (Dancing and Cheering blogpost)
Those who knew her, know exactly what i'm talking about here. Mary was pure love and joy. She has touched many peoples hearts with who she was and will live on through us forever. I will cherish her forever - she is connected to my very soul. I am a better person today because of her. She has allowed my faith to longer be blind. I can see Clearly now. The synchronicities she has brought illuminates my life.
LOVING MARY FOREVER!!!
Mary at Howard Payne University:
Mary at her teacher/coach job in Nederland, TX:
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Mary Dream
Mary dream this morning. Saturday, April 11th the day before Easter!
I dreamt that I was on the street I grew up on and I looked over saw a young boy next door and thought, what a cute kid, then I realized it was my nephew Brett when he was like 11 years old. I was so excited to see him and baffled too. I didn't know he was going to be there. Then I looked down the street and saw a moving van and saw Mary. I was so excited and yelled so loud for Mary. She ran to me like she was in a race. It was wonderful. She jumped in my arms almost knocking me over. When she hugged me, I felt a belly, a baby belly. I looked at her in amazement..... And asked her if she was pregnant. She didn't answer me but I knew. I immediately brought her inside to my closet and started pulling out outfits that would look cute in her - babydoll shirts I happened to have. They looked so cute on her, showing a perfect lil baby bump.
Then I started making her something, not sure what it was but Kelsey saw it and liked it saying she wanted one too.... I said of course but her mommy first π
It was such a sweet visit.
#lovefromabove
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Cardinals of Love and Signs from Above
CARDINALS OF LOVE AND SIGNS FROM ABOVE
In Memory of Mary Emma McCraw
Melville, New York
On March 22, 2008, a little red bird flew to my side during the darkest moment of my life – I had just received the news that my sister Mary had lost her life. I was standing outside in the breezeway of my home, lost in grief when a beautiful red cardinal landed on the shrub in front of me. He took my breath away; he was such a vibrant sight. For a moment, my pain disappeared. The very next day I flew to Texas to prepare for my beautiful sister’s wake. As I was driving down the main road to the funeral home I couldn't believe what was flying right next to me. Not one, but two beautiful red cardinals, racing me to the home. The little red bird was just the beginning to the many signs and each synchronicity that showed me that there is more after this life and there is more all around us.
A few months later, I started a blog titled Loving Mary Forever in honor of my sister Mary because she was an AMAZING light of love. Her light shined wherever she was our entire life. I was three years older and felt blessed to be viewed as her star. I loved that she often called me her Silly Sis. She loved you before she knew you – it was in her DNA. In the early stages of blogging to my Mary, amazing things started happening. Signs were EVERYWHERE. I documented each amazing occurrence one by one and my faith grew as these confirmations revealed my sister was still with me. My grief lessened and hope prevailed. My little red bird kept appearing at crazy places and special times (along with making a home in my backyard), making her appearance to me along with each fun synchronicity! I giggle just thinking about her.
I am alright today but feel sad at times when missing her physical presence, her amazing Mary smile that lit up every room she entered, and the loving energy she always radiated to everyone in her contact. Sharing my Mary's story has given so many people hope, so I will continue to cherish her memories and share her signs of love to help others heal from their loss too. Also, with a soft nudge from above, Little Red Bird Chirps was born on Facebook. It is a comforting place to visit that confirms what the little red bird is – a sign from above!
Grateful, loyal and blessed to call Mary my sister.
Share your story via the link below. After your story has been published, we will send you a custom memorial photo in memory of your loved one in Heaven.
www.caringcardinals.com/cardinal-experiences
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Mary Emma McCraw
Friday, January 24, 2020
Sweet Cecilia - RED BIRD FLIES
RED BIRD FLIES- Story Behind the song
"When cardinals appear, angels are near". This saying weighed heavy on my heart last summer. Literally everywhere I went cardinals were around. I was riding the 4 wheeler with my two boys and the song just came to me. My angels were with me too.. 1st Verse is about our dear friend Stacie Campbell. 2nd verse is about our sweet little cousin Isley Thibodeaux who was killed by a drunk driver after the Carrie Underwood concert. 3rd Verse- about my Dad. 4th verse- Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux...the beautiful young women who were killed during the Grand Theater shootings. This song is deep but I hope it will bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones. Thanks Uncle Rex Berard for the picture.
Visit our website: SweetCeciliaGirls
Laura Huval "Sweet Cecilia" from Cecilia, LA

































