When we were young and fit, my Friend and I walked the trail at A nearby park, always at a fast pace. In heat, in rain, in snow we Pushed on, Buoying each other's spirits. One barren, gray winter day, we Noticed a red bird, a cardinal on A branch, perched crimson against The dismal sky. It caught our eyes at the Same time. "It's beautiful," we whispered. We stopped and admired its Beauty. We determined God sent it. "It's our sign," we agreed. No matter how bleak or Painful our path may Become, A red bird, in all its quiet Brilliance is just waiting To appear, A bright spot in a dark spot to Remind us God's near. Today I sent a card to my once young, Once fit friend who faced surgery again, At least her ninth. I tucked a picture of a cardinal inside and Ending my note I wrote, "My dear, forever friend. May you have a red bird kind of day." It's all I really needed to say. |