Thursday, July 23, 2009

THE TABLE BY THE WINDOW



My Granny Merritt, Mother's Mother, loved birds of all kinds...but especially redbirds. Granny Merritt died several years ago, and it seemed to Joy and I that after she died, we began to see more and more red birds. Joy began to say that every time she saw a red bird, it was a sign from Granny Merritt that all was well. So, it became a private little saying in our family that the red birds were sent by Granny Merritt.

Pop was telling me a few days ago, that over the past few months he and Mom have seen a red bird next to their porch every morning as they ate breakfast together. Pop would always say, "Ella, there's Ma Merritt." And, they would watch the bird as they sat together at the table by the window.

When I got to Pop's house on Friday, he had this story to tell Joy and I. It seems that as he sat eating breakfast at the table by the window, he noticed the red bird...but that day another red bird flew up and landed beside it. Then the second redbird flew up on the porch, into the windowsill, and started chirping loudly...seemingly to get his attention. And, then flew away.

Pop says the second redbird was sent from Mom...to make sure he knew that she was fine, she was with her mother, and all was well.

She knew he would be sitting at the table by the window.

Way to go, Mom! We got the message!

14 comments:

Gail said...

I love this story. Thank you for sharing. My, Dad, too...He sends me pennies from heaven. Once on my B'day...I was feeling rather low and so down...I went for a walk with our dog. I found so many pennies along the street and even a nickle...I knew, like you, your sister, and Dad...where they all came from. Heaven is so full of these wonderful messages...We all need to just open our hearts and minds to them all. God Bless, and I am praying that your day brings you peace, and love.

Jean said...

Oh my goodness, Tonja, pass me the tissues! That is SO SWEET!!

andi said...

What sweet encouragement for your precious Pop! How is Adam doing??????

Southern Lady said...

What a beautiful story, Tonja ... it gave me chill bumps. I love the sweet picture of you and your mom, too.

I hope you're feeling better, my friend.

Love Being A Nonny said...

I DO think the good Lord allows reminders...just another way of letting us know He cares. What's sweet about this story is HE NOTICED. Your dad noticed. It's the little things. I am getting ready to do a post called *The Zig to My Zag*. Your dad will understand.

Paula V said...

How sweet.

RachelD said...

I've often had the same feeling about cardinals and redbirds, since the winter I stood at my kitchen window, holding onto a visiting little two-year-old boy standing in my sink, as he watched great droves of them nibbling in the fodder of the field outside.

That beautiful child was taken from us the next Thanksgiving, in a tragic accident, and ever after, each flash red or cluster of the bright birds on the ground or in trees reminds me that the spirit never dies, but lives on in our memories and good thoughts of them.

You must read Fannie Flagg's "A Redbird Christmas." It's a little bit sad, but all about the South and the miracles that can happen.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Yes, yes, yes! I believe that your pop is right. I just love when that happens. The night my mom died I sat up late and the light next to me would flicker.
It was my mom, I know this because it has happened to me at other times when I was in need. Also a family member had that experience with my mom. Also as a side note, when my mom passed away the electrical clock in the kitchen stopped yet the power was not out.
When we returned to the house after the funeral it started to run again. It was a sign that she was okay. God is awesome!

LivingTheLife said...

Goose bump moment! Loved this story and so glad the 2 cardinals visited your Pop the other day, it is so comforting to know that God does care and he sends us reminders, we just have to be available to look!

My dad sent me bluebirds...we had a contest on who would see them first each year...he ALWAYS won, I never really saw that many, but it sure was fun when he would call and report in on his first sighting. He had given me 2 bluebird houses (which I now have here, in CA.) and instructions on how to attract them...but no matter how hard I tried...I was not getting the bluebird traffic he was. He had a pair of bluebirds that came back every year. Their families would follow them back each year and before you knew it, he had several pairs of bluebirds frequenting his feeders and houses. Well, wouldn't you know the spring/summer after my dad passed away...I saw my first bluebird at the feeders. I was so excited...and I knew God and my dad had teamed up and sent them to me.

Thanks for sharing this, Tonja...it's a great reminder...that we will spend eternity with those we love...and in the meantime, they wait patiently...for they know the wonderous things thata await us.

Blessings...
Teresa

Mindy said...

Such a cool story! I am back to blogging after a long break, I hope you will stop by for an update.

Anonymous said...

And how are you feeling . . . healthwise, I mean?

Bonnie

Sherrie said...

Oh Tonja!! God is so sweet!!! That gives me chill bumps. What a sweet confirmation ( not that he needed it) that his sweet Ella is safe and sound in the glorious heavens!! Hope you are feeling better.

Hugs!!!!

The Brezina's said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Justabeachkat said...

So sweet! I believe God sends us signs. I'm so glad Pop and Joy and you believe too.

Hugs sweet friend!
Kat