As I sit here at my computer contemplating what to write for my next article and gaze out the window near my desk into my gardens, my attention is drawn not only by the waves of snowflakes fluttering down and blanketing the ground, but also by the innumerable flashes of crimson-red passing by outside.
THEY ARE ALL AROUND…FOLLOWING ME WHEREVER I ROAM! CARDINALS…dozens of them, both male and female! Of course, with the myriad of birdfeeders installed across our homestead, and, this being a notably hungry time of the year for our “avian Friends,” it is natural that the visitors to our seeds and suet would increase today.
Yet, the sheer multitude of visiting Cardinals today transports my thoughts to several memories…one as recent as yesterday…and others reaching back into the Past.
A FEW DAYS AGO…
Early this past week, as I finished my rounds installing new Artworks in several areas of our regional hospital, my final installation was the registration area located within the exterior of the hospital’s Emergency Department.
This area consists of several individual registration rooms, and, within each of these rooms I install new works every month…as I also do throughout the entire downtown venues of the hospital. As I entered the last of these rooms, the staff member assigned to this area stopped me to compliment my efforts, and to relate how much she ( and everyone else) appreciated this work.
After thanking her for her remarks, I indicated that the Art I was installing in this department for the current month would consist of “Nature” photography…photos of local “wild” animals.
She continued…
One of the former works I had installed previously was an image of a male cardinal. She especially loved that work…and went-on to describe that, she and her husband had NEVER had a cardinal visit their property. That was, until the passing of her Father-in-Law. On the exact day of his passing, a male cardinal showed up at their residence..and, followed them from room to room, gazing at them through each room’s window. He remained with them for an entire year…and left EXACTLY on that same day upon which he arrived. Her husband named the bird “RED,” not realizing at the time that that was his Father’s nickname.
After listening to her experience, I shared my beliefs in this matter of visiting cardinals and how, according to my Mom’s teachings, they are actually visiting Angels sent to “watch over us” in times of need.
Thereupon, she asked me what Artwork I held in my hand…ready for installation in her office area. I slowly turned it around to face her…the photo of a male Cardinal sitting upon one of the posts within my garden. Emotionality followed.
The following afternoon, I returned to her office and presented her with a framed image of the same bird. Indicated that this was hers to keep at her home…and share with her husband, telling him that “Red” has NEVER left them.
TIMES PAST…
In the “early years” of living in Espyville, Carolyn (and I) frequently shared time bird-watching with our beloved Friend and neighbor, Kathryn Buzonas. Carolyn and Mrs. “B” would sit either upon our back deck, or on the area behind Mrs. B’s house and count the birds arriving at the feeders.
After my Mom’s untimely passing in 2004, Mrs. B. paid us a visit when we returned from Pittsburgh. She brought us food and friendship…and, as we sat together, we noticed a female Cardinal which would simply not leave the window situated near where we sat. Mrs. B, without knowing it, repeated the belief in this experience which my Mom and her Mom (my grandma) had instilled in me over my childhood. An Angel was visiting that day.
Tragically, Mrs. B left us in May, 2004, while visiting her son in Arizona. Before traveling West, she left her final message to us on our answering machine. Her final words were, and I will always remember,” Never forget to feed the birds.” I never have…nor ever will.
MOVE FORWARD…
In the VERY early hours of a morning back in 2005, as I was carving one of my Carousel animals in my home studio, words to a long-forgotten melody crept into my consciousness. I could, not however, remember ALL the song, nor its singer. Frustrated, I stopped my carving, trod over to our house, stayed at the computer, and “Googled” whom I thought the singer could be. Immediately, his name popped-up on my screen…but that was not all. Included also were the complete lyrics of the song in my head, AND , even MORE incredible, the actual audio version of his song.
The singer was John Denver; the song’s title is “The Wings That Fly Us Home.”
Upon regaining my composure, Carolyn awoke. I asked her to share a listen to the melody…then, without knowing why, I asked her if she would consider using her talents to turn its melody into a visual representation. She did!
A week later, I approached the person responsible for the development of what has become our local cancer center, and presented him with a proposal: that I carve a VERY large replica of Carolyn’s Artwork, and dedicate it to the new center. My proposal was accepted.
In the Spring of the following year, my sculpture was dedicated and installed. The name which I had given to it was SPIRIT. The design concept of SPIRIT is a representation of a Phoenix; however, innumerable folks have named him another type of bird-creature…you guessed it!
At the dedication ceremony, over 300 individuals arrived. I invited each of them, patients, family members, friends, staff, to sign the area connecting Spirit’s right wing to its body. They did.
Hidden deep within the layers of my SPIRIT, lies a copy of the following message…encapsulated forever within its Heart.......
“SPIRIT…The Wings That Fly Us Home
This Journey, like all journeys, has been both long and involved. It began…I cannot determine where. Its path has crossed and become entwined with the lives of innumerable other travelers. Some have joined their hands with mine to travel onward together; some have separated to pursue other pathways. Yet, despite the myriad of experiences this journey has produced, one common denominator underlies each Life along the Way: the insurmountable belief in the Eternity of the Human Spirit, and the unconquerable nature of the Human Will.”
Also hidden deep with SPIRIT are the names of three individuals to whom my sculpture is particularly dedicated. Those individuals are: Joseph D. Pazzula (my Stepfather), Ross E. Vogel (Carolyn’s Father), and Kathryn Buzonas. Each fought a courageous battle against cancer…and EACH left an indelible mark upon Eternity.
AND NOW…
Late one afternoon a few weeks before this past Christmas, after I arrived in our local Cancer Institute awaiting a report on my condition from my oncologist and longtime Friend, I sat in the exact place where 10 years ago SPIRIT, my Phoenix sculpture, was installed.
Last year, due to the redevelopment of the institute, I was informed that SPIRIT would be placed in storage at the main hospital until its future location could be decided. Although heartbroken by this decision, I fully understood the rationale. SO, SPIRIT is still awaiting a new home.
ANYWAY...as I looked down upon the floor under my seat, I discovered that the base upon which SPIRIT has been installed had left an eternal stain upon the hardwood. I fought back my tears of gratitude to the Heavens for this unbelievable effect. Undoubtedly, all the patients and Families which SPRIT had affected for nearly 10 years played a part in this result. SPIRIT has NEVER left the place.
After a short while, my physician's nurse came to escort me to the exam/conference room. Shortly thereafter, I was informed of truly great results of my CAT Scan the previous day. My oncologist was truly thrilled to inform me of the positive results of the test.
The possibilities of my Future appeared very promising. He further expressed his amazement at my survival after what I experienced throughout the past 6 months..my survival is a "TRUE MIRACLE!"
To say that I sincerely felt all the hands of the innumerable patients with whom I shared Time with during my 5-plus years as Art Director at the Institute, would be an understatement.
Yes, SPIRIT has NEVER left...nor will its effect EVER be forgotten.
THIS MORNING
As I opened the window blind near one of the bedroom windows this morning, I stopped in total amazement. There in the area behind our house were, as best as I could determine, a minimum of 47 Cardinals, both male and female…standing on the ground, feeding at the feeders, and not simply taking to flight after seeing me.
As always, the “ANGELS” were, and ARE, among us…watching over us, and supporting our every minute.
Never forget to “feed the birds.” They ARE “the wings that fly us Home.”