I either read or heard somewhere that birds symbolize the presence of a spirit. The dove has been seen as a spirit messenger between two worlds and represents peace. It soothes and quiets our troubles and helps us to find that peace. A hummingbird is seen as a messenger of love and joy. It symbolizes energy and is associated with the Ghost Spirits of the native American religion. I have a few experiences where a dove or hummingbird was present but two incidences stick out in my mind.It was December 2004 when my Dad caught pneumonia, then congestive heart failure. After five years of many health issues, he couldn't fight back from this illness. We got the news on a Tuesday and on Wednesday they made plans to put him in the hospice area of the hospital. The next day he was weaker but still able to talk with us. By Friday, he just laid in bed, peaceful with his eyes closed. There was something different on this day. On the window seal was a dove, pacing back and forth. Every time it got to the end of the window seal, it would look inside while bopping its head up and down. It kept it up all morning, not missing a beat, while we sat by his bed and told stories of his life. We all left for lunch but the dove kept up his vigil on the window seal. When we returned from lunch we noticed another dove was with him. The two of them were marching in formation, stopping at the end to bop their heads while looking at us in the room. They never missed a beat. Around two in the afternoon, the priest came to administer the Last Rites. Sometime during that time while we were all praying, he passed away. After grieving, we noticed that the doves were gone too. Were they the spirits of family members that came to help my Father on his journey? I believe they were.
Another time w
as at my Mother-in-law's grave site. It was a crispy Christmas morning, after opening our presents from Santa (yes, I said Santa), we ate breakfast then went to visit our loved ones. After my daughter and I went to decorate another family member's grave, we met my husband and son back at his mother's grave site. As we all stood next to each other talking, a hummingbird buzzed around us. It started by circling each of us several times. Then it would hover in front of our faces coming very close. It kept up this vigil for several minutes before it flew away. I didn't think that hummingbirds went near people but this one did. To me it seemed like it was trying to communicate to us. I told them that it was Darlene and she was saying hello. Was it the spirit of my Mother-in-law in that hummingbird? I believe it was her bringing us love on that Christmas morning.
as at my Mother-in-law's grave site. It was a crispy Christmas morning, after opening our presents from Santa (yes, I said Santa), we ate breakfast then went to visit our loved ones. After my daughter and I went to decorate another family member's grave, we met my husband and son back at his mother's grave site. As we all stood next to each other talking, a hummingbird buzzed around us. It started by circling each of us several times. Then it would hover in front of our faces coming very close. It kept up this vigil for several minutes before it flew away. I didn't think that hummingbirds went near people but this one did. To me it seemed like it was trying to communicate to us. I told them that it was Darlene and she was saying hello. Was it the spirit of my Mother-in-law in that hummingbird? I believe it was her bringing us love on that Christmas morning.--Julie--
I so love personal posts like this-whether a person is just talking about good or bad times in their lives or bringing up the things you did in this post-hummingbirds are one of the most enchanting creatures on this earth i think! I had a feeder outside of the front window of my condo-but could not get 'regular' birds to stop coming by and dumping a lot of the liquid out and making a mess-so I am trying to think of a way to remedy this-really beautiful thoughts in this post-very personal and warm-I think the history of birds being harbingers of events or involved with the things you mentioned here go back quite a ways-altho I am no expert-best to both of you as always!
ReplyDeleteYou know I've never heard of this type of thing before. That birds are "messengers" for the spiritual world. That's actually quite interesting!
ReplyDeleteMike, I thought that was interesting to about them being messengers. I read that on several websites. I really felt like those doves were pacing back and forth waiting for my Dad to die. Once he did, they were gone. The hummingbird's behavior was unusual too. It literally buzz around us for several minutes. I'm no expert either but I know what I saw and it was amazing to me.
ReplyDeleteDevin, I enjoy the personal stories too. We had feeders as well until the neighborhood cats decided to knock them down. Thanks for dropping by and giving us your thoughts.
This was altogether a beautiful post. I've never thought about it before, but there is something about birds that makes them more "in-tune" than some other animals. Even in the Bible, God's spirit used a dove to come down on Jesus on the day of his baptism (John 1:32). Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeletewhat beautiful encounters, most specially the one about your father and the two doves. that brought tears to my eyes and gave me a chill. i completely believe that sometimes, when birds--animals period--visit us, it is indeed a spirit to say hello or to offer help.
ReplyDeletethe day my mom's husband died i was looking out the window. i saw a squirrel chattering away--it seemed to be talking to me. i had this strong impression that he had died just minutes before. i found out he had--approximately 15 minutes prior to my seeing the squirrel.
sometimes i have a blue jay who will visit me. he always lands on the same spot on the phone line outside. sometimes i will just happen to go outside at the same time, but other times i will be inside and feel this draw to "go outside now". i do, and there he sits, looking at me. it's so beautiful and can make life seem less lonely.
very very cool blog!