Blue Bird Messages

I wish you bluebirds in the spring, to give your heart a song to sing.

Frank Sinatra

May brings Birthdays, Mother’s Day, and wishes made with candles. My may memories contain snapshots of the happiest days of my youth. When I was young, May brought lovely birthday celebrations for my sweet Mama and myself. There would be coconut cake for her, red velvet cake for me, and wishes thought out while the candles glowed in recognition of another year gone by. The entire month was filled with excitement, for each week brought another special day.

Mother’s Day was fun-filled for my Mom. We would usually plant flowers in all her pots and admire the splendor of her ferns, which she babied as if life depended on their survival. I listened as she told stories about her Mom when she was a little girl. We cried, we laughed, and we smiled as we imagined what Heaven must be like for her.

My Mama grew up in the Georgia mountains in a very small town. Her Mom was a school teacher in a one room school house and her Dad was a farmer. They didn’t have much but they had lots of love she would say. Eleven children in a 4 room house. Life’s pleasures were the simple things. Good food, singing in church, dancing to my Papaw’s songs played on his fiddle, and nature. The girls loved to play outside on their farm looking for daisies and  watching for bluebirds. My mom’s favorite color was blue and I have to think it came from her love of the bluebirds.

My Mama’s name is Susie. I lost her 22 years ago when I was 31. Not only was my heart broken but my spirit as well. How was I expected to live or even breathe without her in my life? I tried to dismiss thoughts of her because they hurt too bad. As cliché as it sounds, time does heal. For me, the years rolled on and around year 16 of being without her, my soul finally pieced itself back together,  and I realized I never really lost her, for she’s been with me all along.

The random daisy in the middle of winter, the smell of peach candles that were her favorite, and random visits from a passing bluebird, all remind me that I carry her with me always- Messages recieved by my heart.  Mama always said she hoped God would allow her to watch over me and my kids, when her days on earth were done. Today, every daisy, every bluebird, and the aroma of a peach candle brings happy tears to my eyes! 

I am the most sentimental, southern girl you will ever know. I treasure every memory and pay tribute to my large Heavenly family, in every way I can. I have a candle, peach of course, called Susie Mae. (The Mae part is after my favorite Aunt which is the topic of my next blog post). I made it just to honor her, and now I am sharing it with you! Her Birthday is today, May 2 and she would be 76. I hope she’s dancing in a field of daisies to the tune of my Papaw’s fiddle, and I hope there are bluebirds all around!

Happy Birthday Mama! I Love you!

Cheers, Angie