I saw the moon and the moon saw me on my morning walk with Penelope. Mr. Moon was so handsome, his gray and white luminous self hanging in that beautiful dark blue cloudless sky. I have not seen a single cloud mar that glorious blue sky.

My yard has been teeming with cardinals all day, frolicking over the feeders, sitting on the bushes, perched on the power lines. When I sat in the swing and studied the cardinals, I decided the parents had brought their juveniles to the feeders. I noticed lots of the cardinals were not as large as some of the others. Made me think of the quote attributed to Victoria McGovern, “Cardinals appear when angels are near.” There are so many beautiful quotes and poems about cardinals. Don’t know who to credit with this one quote, but I love it. “Feathers brightly colored red, angels from heaven it’s been said. Those we’ve lost come from above. To lend us strength and show their love.”

This flock of cardinals offer me comfort on this sunny day as I sit and think of Chief. Even after we lose loved ones we can find comfort in the beauty of nature. We know God will take care of us because he takes care of all his creation. He teaches us that the beauty of the world remains even when we suffer heartache. Life goes on and we can learn to go on in the sunshine of life, too.

“The Cardinal sits upon the branch. He does not know which way to glance. He only knows that God above, Is looking down in deepest love. I look to you dear God above, And pray for your redeeming love, To guide me through my nights and days, And flight my fleeting fears away,” Pam Waters Carson.

I think sometimes when we lose a loved one we learn to appreciate and feel joy at the simple things in life. I’ve felt this way since Chief died. I appreciate each bird song and each sunset of the days I’m given. I know how short life is and I count my blessings each day. We never know what tomorrow will bring. We’re not even promised a tomorrow. We choose how we view each day and that influences how we live them. Each day is a gift from God. Take that gift and make it matter. Live life to the fullest each day, forging ahead with God’s grace through the storms, always looking for the promised rainbows.

“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.” — Bob Marley