Bright Red Hope

In the months following our eldest daughter, Hope's, arrival in Heaven (straight from my womb), the Cardinal became symbolic of her, and the hope of and longing for Heaven she had given Curt and I in all of the pain. I cannot quite remember exactly the moment it happened, but I recall being wishful for a tangible expression of God's awareness of my pain, and our little Hope...and a cardinal flew out of the clear blue sky (quite literally!) and stuck around our front porch for months. I had never seen cardinals flying around our street before that...and you know what? I have no doubt that bird was sent on a mission by his creator and he did a marvelous job! (I say "his" as the male cardinals are always the most brilliant shades of red).

Skip a few years ahead, and as I look out at the winter wonderland accumulating outside my kitchen window, there he sits....and there I ran for my camera, excited by his beauty-and for me personally, his meaning.

I'd like to say that the children were bundled up and given opportunity to frolic in the snow, but that was simply not the case. But we have plentiful windows, perfect for viewing from within! (Perhaps tomorrow will hold that for them)

I added a few extra pictures of our 'snow day' just for fun.

Where ever you are, I hope you are enjoying a contented day.

Watching 'mawmaw' and 'pawpaw' back out of our driveway after a fun Saturday morning visit.

Play Dough and Dora, to pass time (and minimize fighting).


I captured the occassional affection these two bestow upon each other. In the blink of an eye, this could become a strangle hold, but I HIGHLY praise such tender loving care.

So long for now....