My family believes in an occurrence known as the “Cardinal Experience.” The word cardinal is a polysemy; it can be an adjective describing something of primary importance or the noun of the bird a cardinal. The “Cardinal Experience” involves both definitions; when someone loses a prominent person in their life, the spiritual sighting of the bird can indicate the presence of a lost loved one.

If you look up "The Cardinal Experience" on the Internet, then you'll find many stories from people who have been visited by their loved ones in times of need. For instance, a daughter's mother was a huge fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and after she passed, her daughter took note of the times a cardinal came to visit: Mother's Day, driving by her mom's favorite restaurant, Christmas, and many others. Or one individual planted a memorial tree for his loved one and whenever a cardinal comes to visit, they always sit on the same branch of this tree. There's countless examples of people who believe in the meaning behind the experience which tells me that my family is not alone in our belief.

In coping, my family has had many occurrences with this feeling. A cardinal has appeared at my bedroom window on my first birthday without my grandparents, during a walk with my parents on my grandmother and grandfather’s anniversary, and many more. My family sees a cardinal especially when we are in need of a connection with our loved one.

It's a bit eerie at times. It's as if our loved one knows we're missing them so they decide to visit at this certain time.

Sometimes my mom sees two of them chasing each other in the sky. She thinks about her father chasing around my grandmother, trying to impress her or her mother chasing her own husband around the house.

My loved ones were lively and happy people. However, their health failed them in the last years of their lives. From Alzheimer's to hospital stays to lung disease, they were restricted from their normal routines of bouncing around in their career, around their house, or in any aspect possible. To think they are as free as a bird now, I am refreshed with the thought they are all in a better place. A place free of illness, life altering disease, and any other hurt or harm.

The "Cardinal Experience" may just be a coincidence. It may just be a bird, not actually my loved one sending a message. But I know one thing is for sure. Seeing a cardinal always reminds me that although I may not be able to see their faces or hear the voices of my loved ones again, they always will be with me wherever I may go.