Birthday Birds

I have always loved my birthday.  People often say, “Oh, poor you—having a December birthday would be the worst.”

“No, I love my December birthday!”  I reply.

 I’m certain that’s because my mom always made my birthday fun and special, never too busy to make my day a big deal.  She says that her mom always made HER birthday fun and special (Mom was also born in December).  Grandma was always one to make each celebration a grand event. 

 Grandma has been gone for 15 years now.  She passed away when Laurel was only 1 year old.  I am often reminded of fond memories with her.  The most recent flood of memories came when I had cooked a pot roast and squash and rolls.  The house smelled so much like Grandma’s!  It was a warm fuzzy, inviting smell, and I felt happy as I reminisced of family dinners at Grandma’s house.

Something else you should know about Grandma is that she was an avid bird-watcher.  Anyone who spent much time at her house can picture her at her kitchen window; her body leaned over the sink, elbows resting on the sill, hands holding the binoculars up as she’d peer out at the birds in her backyard.  Each of her several bird feeders were always overflowing with bird seed.  I remember helping her scoop seed from the aluminum garbage cans in her back yard, which were always stocked.  After filling the feeders, she was always sure to sprinkle a generous amount at the base of each tree.  This was a daily labor of love.

Since Grandma’s passing, she has often “sent” birds to family members, I’m certain to let us know she is near and that she loves us. Each time my mom would tell me about another touching, beautiful bird experience, in awe I’d think, “Wow!  I wish Grandma would send me a bird.” 

Grandma must have heard my wish somehow.  Or maybe she just wanted me to know that she was close and that she loves me. 

My 34th birthday began a still winter morning, overcast with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground.  It felt different than any other day.  It was my birthday!  So it felt happy and magical.  After getting the bigger kids to school, I walked to the front of the house to look out the window.  I was surprised to see several robins sitting in the tree to my right, just in front of our house.  They looked so cute and chubby—probably because their feathers were fluffed to keep warm.

Then it dawned on me.  What are robins doing here a week before Christmas??  Shouldn’t they have flown south to be warm?  I wasn’t sure, but I started looking around.  Were there more of them?  I looked up and down the street, scanning the leafless trees.  That’s when I noticed two things: first, our other tree—to my left—was also full of little robins; second: there were no other birds on the entire street.  I counted about 18 of them on my two trees!

Suddenly I knew Grandma was nearby.   I stood at the window for a long time watching those robins, my cheeks wet with tears.  “I love you too, Grandma.  Thank you.”  I whispered.

Since that experience I have frequently seen cute little birds and have thought, “Is Grandma close by?  Is she trying to tell me she loves me?”

 One particular day as I was driving home, thinking of Grandma and her birds, I looked up and noticed the majestic beauty of the Wasatch Range, highlighted by a stunning blue sky.  It took only a moment for the Spirit to rush in and fill my heart with a message from my Heavenly Father.  This is for you.  I created it all so that you would know I’m near and that I love you.  So when you are amazed by one of my creations, remember that I put it there because I love you, and to remind you that I’m close by.

 I have since wondered at times, if a tree or flower was planned out and placed and grown, so that in the moment I saw it, I would feel His love.  It’s possible.  God can do anything.  I believe He would go to such great measures—and beyond--to extend to us, His children, His immeasurable love.