“Death ends a life, not a relationship. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on — in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.”
From the book, Tuesdays with Morrie (1997) by Mitch Albom
During the past several weeks, a redbird — also known as a cardinal — has been visiting me in my backyard.
A strikingly beautiful bird, it always arrives alone and at different times during the day. Unfortunately, every time the redbird has graced my presence, the bird flies away just as I am primed to take a photo of this precious spiritual moment.
As a Bereavement Counselor, there’s lots of symbolism and spiritual significance of the redbird who is often viewed as a messenger of connection and for the unconditional love, vitality, and hope we have of seeing our loved ones again when we too shall pass.
In such moments of divine grace, it’s as if that special someone we have loved and lost is looking for a way to check in with us and to remind us that they are at peace in the Lord’s warm and loving embrace.
Whenever I see the redbird, I immediately think of the three most important people in my life that I have loved and lost and say to myself “𝐌𝐨𝐦, 𝐃𝐚𝐝, 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬 — 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮”? Is this your sacred whisper from heaven to tell me “𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.”
To me, the redbird’s presence serves as a powerful symbol of our faith and that the people we’ve lost are still very near, watching us, loving us, and guiding us.
And, in many ways, that quote above from 𝑻𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆 about how “death ends a life, not a relationship” is the central challenge in the grief journey that we all experience in this life.
Yes, my loved one is no longer here in a physical sense, but can we find a spiritual connection like the symbolism inherent in the image of the redbird?
Can we stay connected to them through our memories and experiences of the life we had with them?
Can we take comfort in knowing that our loved ones will always be a part of who we are as we navigate our future?
I will always treasure being Claire and Jack Kirnan’s son as well as Dennis Kirnan’s younger brother. Nothing can ever take that experience away from me or from my core identity.
I can still carry them in my heart everywhere I go through the lens of the only photo I have of me with my Mom, Dad, and brother Dennis that was taken back in August 1961 when I was 6 years old.
And, I will always be looking for those special redbird moments to help me stay connected with them as I move ahead and finish the race.
𝐒𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮?
• Have you ever experienced a “redbird moment” where you strongly sensed your loved one’s presence?
• What was that moment like for you and how did it make you feel?
• Are there particular rituals, places, or objects that help you feel connected to them?
• Have you faced any obstacles in maintaining an ongoing relationship with your loved ones?
Wishing my clients, coaches, friends, and my fellow bereaved a redbird moment of healing and God’s abundant love, Dr. K
#𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 #𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 #𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 🙏❤️
