cardinal's kiss

Warning: Sappy sentimentalism ahead. Proceed at your own risk


There are moments you glimpse, just barely, that impress upon your day, your thoughts, but when you try to verbalize them, the impact is hard to describe.

Getting ready for the day ahead, my mind ticking off little tasks as I contemplated my crazy schedule for the next few days, I saw the swoop of red pass the kitchen window. Seeing the cardinals pecking around the feeder in the morning always brightens my mood, they are so cheery; the bright splash of red and vibrant song just makes me smile. Looking up and out, I saw the female cardinal land on the feeder and the male dance around the base.

Giggles was right next to me, she enjoys seeing the birds too, so I told her the Cardinal’s had arrived and she hopped up on a chair to glance out the window.

Right at that exact moment, the male cardinal flew up from the ground, hovered near the female, who reached out from the feeder and the two cardinals kissed. I swear that’s exactly what it looked like. Her head turned and stretched, his wings fluttering to bring him closer, and their little beaks clicked together, then he settled back to the ground and she turned back to nab more seed.

Giggles and I oohed and aahed and there was silly morning laughter about the Kissing Cardinals.

That moment, seeing those two birds do whatever that was, sharing it with my daughter, witnessing the simple beauty right outside my window, eased all thoughts of schedule stress and just made me so blissfully happy that I’ve been riding that wave since it happened yesterday morning.

Such a simple moment in time, one that probably happens throughout the day, in that same spot, but when viewed, resonates deeply.

That scene has embedded itself in my head, a private picture I can pull out with a wispy thought, to remind me of what is real and true and most important - the simple act of living and loving.


I hope everyone gets a day that begins with a cardinal's kiss.