[caption id="attachment_192" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="paint me"][/caption] I once bought a little yellow bird that I kept in an antique cage on my front porch. It wasn’t a real bird, but a battery operated one, that sang every time someone walked by. Eventually, the battery ran out. That bird has been in all sorts of positions in that cage.

Since moving to the beach, I didn’t have a place to put yellow bird, so I placed the birdcage next to our tub and hung yellow bird upside down from her swing. Don’t know why. It just made me laugh. Course, it could have been because that’s the way I feel when my battery is out and can’t sing anymore. Thus, by the tub.

Let me tell you the real story of Yellow Bird. Shortly, after Jerry was diagnosed, we spent a lot time on the emotional roller coaster of grief, contemplating the meaning of life. One beautiful spring day, I heard Jerry go outside. It was clear and sunny and the temperature was perfect for spring planting. The solid front door was open so the light could come in, but the outer glass door was closed. Outside, sitting on the top step was Jerry, alone. I was hesitant to walk out too quickly, so I just stood there and watched.

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Seconds later, a yellow bird dropped down and skipped right at his feet. He gently put his hand down, opened it, and the little fella hopped in. Without a word, Jerry sat there and caressed the little bird, rubbing his finger down its back. They were connected. I’ve never seen anything like it. Call it a sign. Call it a spirit. Call it what you want. I knew from that moment on that we were going to make it. To me, it was the Spirit of God telling us it would be ok.

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7

Eventually, Jerry got up and placed Yellow Bird on a limb and he flew away. I’ll never forget that day. In fact, since Jerry was my inspiration to paint, what do you think of my naming my art business after that experience? I could name it “Yellow Bird Art” or something like that. Give me some suggestions.