My parents died within two weeks of each other many years ago. Dad, who never smoked, had terminal lung cancer. Mom had a limb removed due to diabetes and was on kidney dialysis. I was so brokenhearted and wanted a sign from God. I wanted to see a bluebird—a symbol of happiness. My parents had gone through so much suffering in their lives, and I just wanted to be assured that they were happy.
Their deaths were in October. I did not see any bluebirds until the following Christmas. I was visiting my dear friend, Peg, and she showed me what her girls had given her for a gift: a painting with two bluebirds on a branch. Ah, there is my sign! Thank you, dear Lord, I thought. I know they are happy.
I never stopped seeing bluebirds.…
- During a visit to the post office, two pictures hung on the wall side-by-side (Easter Bluebird and Love Bluebirds).
- My great Aunt Jo, not knowing about my need for a sign from God, sent me a card with a bluebird on the cover.
- When I went into a card store, the first card I would look at had a bluebird on it. This has happened frequently.
- WCET’s Action Auction in Cincinnati every year features art work, fine wines, etc., to bid on to raise money for the station. That year, artist John A. Ruthven donated his “Spring Bluebirds” painting to be auctioned off. And the Sunday newspaper would print a TV booklet of the week’s upcoming titles. That week, Ruthven’s bluebird painting was on the cover of a TV magazine schedule!
- After a family visit, I got into my car, turned on the radio, and heard the announcer say, “And the next music selection is ‘The Bluebird’ by Charles Villiers Stanford.”
- A baby bluebird appeared outside the building I worked in once. I was leaving work, stepped outside to get to my car, and there it was! It was on the ground next to our building. There were no trees around. Where did it come from? I got closer, thinking it would be afraid and try to flee. But it didn’t. It stayed there! I was due to undergo my first treatment for chemo (lymphoma) and was a bit fearful. That little bird wasn’t afraid of me, so I, then, wasn’t so afraid of upcoming chemo!
Now, I ask you, just how great is our God?
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