Pink Saturday



Today is Pink Saturday, and our hostess Bev from How Sweet The Sound asked us to share a favorite story from our childhood.

Mr. CardinalThe first Cardinal Christmas I remember was a lovely Christmas my mother made for the family. We had a beautiful real Christmas tree which was flocked with white snow. The base was a musical one and the tree was covered in red cardinal Christmas ornaments.




Mr. CardinalThat year my mother told me that she didn't want to go to sleep. Every one was healthy and my difficult father was even on good behavior that Christmas. My mother stayed up all night embracing every detail.

The fire was lit in our fireplace, and she watched the Yule log and listened to the Christmas music on the television. There was plenty to eat in the house and the gifts were all wrapped and underneath the tree.





Mr. CardinalThe following year my grandfather died and things were difficult for many years to follow. But her faith had been strengthened during that miraculous Christmas. The red symbol helped her through many gray days that lie ahead.

uh oh he saw me

Mr. CardinalWhen the symbols started appearing last year, beautiful white flocked wreaths given to me by a friend; and boxes of red cardinals made available to me; I used the cardinal as my theme.



Mr. CardinalI made a cardinal covered wreath for my mother and my front door. Christmas cards started coming in from all around the world with red cardinals on the designs.

cardinal-from-my-window

Mr. CardinalA beautiful red cardinal frequents our bird feeder which I can see from my window as I write.

When I went to Tower Hill, the red cardinal ornaments were everywhere and on every tree. I bought my mother a red cardinal broach to wear on her coat. I was prompted when I arrived home, to look up the true symbol of the cardinal and find its special meaning.



Cardinal NotesI found the description of the cardinal below. I could not help but notice that the cardinal is bright red to remind us of Christ during the dreary gray days of winter ahead. I also noticed the address of the place that offered this symbol definition. It is 25 Christmas Lane in Frankenmuth, Michigan.



Mr. CardinalI would like to imagine my late father, Frank and my late German Grandmother showering down this reminder from heaven so that I surely remember to memorize its wonder.

Mr. Cardinal

Mr. CardinalSymbol of the Cardinal
"Christened the Christmas bird for its spectacular red color, the cardinal has become a symbol of the beauty and warmth of the holiday season. A glimpse of this brilliant bird brings cheer, hope and inspiration on a gray, wintry day. As nature's reminder for us to focus on our faith, the cardinal's scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of mankind." From Bronners Christmas Wonderland, 25 Christmas Lane, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Mr. CardinalThe song for this post is Silent Night.
Beverly said...

Happy Pink Saturday, dear Karen.

Your memory has touched my heart. It seems that so often during difficult times in our lives, it is our precious memories that help guide us through.

My husband and I recently discussed how much we enjoy seeing the cardinals when we look out our windows.

God's blessings to you and your family. Thank you for sharing.

Joyce said...

With every post I read my Christmas spirit is renewed. This could turn out to be one of the best. Long ago Christmas Holidays have seemed very clear this year. Ghosts of Christmas past perhaps? Looking forward to Sunday.

caren said...

Karen ~ Beautiful story which brings me to appreciate the cardinals in a different way. I always love to see them at my feeder and we have many - male and female.

I guess it doesn't hurt that our baseball team is the St. Louis Cardinals!

My name is Riet said...

What a beautiful post . I love your story

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Karen, you are a wonderful storyteller. I am sure that you have many more delightful and rich stories of Christmas in New England that have such heart and soul. God bless you, you beautiful artist, you!!!! Your pictures are the most beautiful of New England....Anita

Rhondi said...

As I read this post there are several cardinals hopping around on the deck just outside my window. Thank you for sharing that sweet story. I will think of you now each time I see a cardinal.
Hugs, Rhondi

Nancy Jo said...

Karen,
What a nice post.I have a few Red Cardinals around here, but never attached any meaning to them. Well now I will. See what a good influence you are?
Nancy Jo

Tami @ Creative girl Vintage said...

Oh Karen..what a lovely story you shared with us. To this day when my daughter sees a cardinal, she knows it is her Grandpa checking in on her.
Many Blessing to you...xo Tami

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Happy Pink Saturday Karen..
I so adore this beautiful story of the Cardinal bird. It is a beautiful thing to watch. I will have to share with you the story of when I visited my folks in October. Moma and Daddy have a family of cardinals. They watched them come with their 3 babies to eat each day at their feeders. The 2 little males, ate on their own, the 1 little female sat and screamed, and we watched as the Daddy cardinal would feed her. It was so precious. I have one picture of the Daddy, but was unable to get pics of the others. So beautiful to watch they are. They love sunflower seeds. That is what Daddy feeds them.

Your story about these fascinating beautiful birds of God himself, is so heart grabbing. It makes us remember. Thank you Karen for helping me to remember this morning.

Please stop by and read my post. I would love to share it with you.

Country hugs...Sherry

Marina Capano said...

Karen: sweet memory

Your memory has touched my heart, LOVELY.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story with us

Happy Pink Saturday
HUGS

Snap said...

The cardinal is one of my favorite symbols for Christmas, too. Enjoyed the links for the Christmas blogs (I'm trying to catch up).

Hugs--

♥Mimi♥ said...

On this first Saturday of December ♥Jappy Pink Saturday♥. I was away for a while and sure missed running around the blogs arnd seeing all of the goodies everyone was sharing.

Thanks for the memory...

It was a blessing for you to make my morning so much fun. Hoping that you and those you care about spend a wonderful weekend making memories that will last a lifetime☺

Marie said...

Lovely PS post! I will look for Cardinals far more often and think of your story!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Charmed giveaway!

GwendolynKay said...

I never knew the meaning of a red cardinal for Christmas , it is a wonderful representation. No coincedence that you were showered with them... blessings from heaven. Pink Blessings!
Gwen

The Quintessential Magpie said...

As always, an incredibly beautiful post, Karen.

Our everyday Christmas china is Lenox Winter Greetings, and I picked the plates with the Cardinal and others with the Chickadee. So my whole set has those two birds. I adore them. I found some ornaments a few years ago at Dollar Tree and love to use them with the plates as napkin rings. They are tole cardinals.

This was such a lovely post, and I loved hearing how your mother made things cheery with her cardinal tree and how you continue to bring the cardinal into her life. You are a sweetie!

Happy PS to you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Suzie Button said...

Karen, what a lovely memory! You reminded me of just how beautiful the cardinal is also, thank you for that! Blessings to you! Suzie

vickie said...

Happy Pink Saturday. I loved your post today, the pictures are beautiful and the story so inspiring.

Nancy Jo said...

Karen,
Guess what its me again. Oh Goody. I went to a flea market this morning, I looked for a cardinal, didn't find one, but I will. But I did find another scrap book with lots of loose papers, thought of you.
Nancy Jo

black eyed susans kitchen said...

We will always point out the cardinals in our yard to who ever happens to be with us. They are a favorite to all in the family. This was a lovely holiday memory.
Susan

Betty said...

Karen, I loved your post today. I also had a difficult childhood so it was nice to remember a good Christmas memory. I will think of you whenever I see a cardinal now!
Have a wonderful pink Saturday!

Mary Bergfeld said...

This was a lovely post. Your memories touched my heart as did your lovely photos. Have a great day.

Mollye said...

Oh Karen That was a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing with us, Mollye

Maia T said...

This is a really beautiful post and story. I didn't know about the symbol.
Thanks for sharing your sweet memories.

Unknown said...

I always wondered why the Cardinal was attached to Christmas! Thank you!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

~Liz

Kathleen Grace said...

What a beautiful story Karen. I had never heard the symbology of the cardinal, how fascinating! We all collect certain ornaments and Earl's favorite to collect is birds. We have an entire tree covered in them, and of course, many are cardinals:>)

Claudia said...

What a lovely story you brought us today.

I am always amazed at how one month of the years embarks sooo very many memories.

Thanks for sharing -- we seldom get to see a cardnal out west. But then maybe i need to start watching for them.

If you get a moment I would love for you to stop by and read my Christmas Short Story post.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥ enjoy the season!

Claudia said...

What a lovely story about your Mother and the cardinal. I love cardinals and find them so beautiful! We have two cardinals that nest on our property and I never tire of seeing them.

Happy Belated Pink Saturday!

Unknown said...

What a delightful story! Cardinal are such a beauty! I live in Michigan and have been to Bronners! Its a must see...Frankenmuth is too! Christmas all year long!
Happy Pink..Lorena

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

This is so beautiful. I cried as I do so many times when I visit here. You touch my heart and life in countless ways sweet lady. I love the red bird it is our state bird and has always been special to me. have the most wonderful week possible....m..

Alison Gibbs said...

Karen that is beautiful.
Take care
Alison

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