Cardinal Silhouette

 

The Silhouette Story

A few days after my husband died, a bright red cardinal came to my backyard and splashed around happily in the bird bath.  I had never witnessed this activity before. Then it sat peacefully on the edge of the roof as if keeping watch. The majestic bird seemed to say, “I’m here- look at me”.   I think it was a sign or a symbol of my husband’s spirit.  I know many people believe that when a cardinal appears, an angel is near.  It did make a believer out of me.  Myself and my children now associate the appearance of the red cardinal as a remembrance of their dad.  Four years have passed, and last year I moved to a new home.  However, for three years prior a red cardinal always made his presence known in the backyard.  The backyard that was our family home together for 26 years.  Even now, the new owners have observed the red bird watching over them.  The appearance of a male Northern Cardinal is very distinct and can’t be confused with any other birds.  It has that bright red body, crested head, black face and conical beak.  The Northern Cardinal is our state bird here in North Carolina.  It not only mates for life but stays together with its mate the entire year.  The male cardinal is faithful and dedicated to helping feed their young.  He is a provider.  This describes my husband perfectly.  He was a worker and a provider to our family, dedicated and faithful to me.

We collect a few cardinal memorabilia to remind us of my husband, but one of my favorites was given to me by my youngest son for my Birthday a few years ago.  It was made by an artisan from iron and is the profile of a cardinal looking over his shoulder, with a spike meant to be driven into a tree or post.  It was driven into the girth of a large oak tree in the backyard of our family home.  I suppose I thought it should stay there, so I left it when I moved.  I rethought my decision after moving into my new home.  I wanted that cardinal with me.  The new owners were more than agreeable, so my oldest son somehow pulled it from the mighty oak’s grip.  I proceeded to gently tap the spiked end into the soft wood of a cedar post on the pergola we had built in my new space.  There could not have been a more perfect spot for this piece of art.  It had already rusted, as iron will do, but the rust makes it more beautiful. It is visible from almost every window in my new home.  The morning sun casts a silhouette shadow onto the side of my neighbor’s house, and the silhouette shadow slowly moves as the sun crosses the sky.  It is a sight to behold.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  11/17/2022