On a snowy December day, standing in the backyard of my New York home, I pondered a way for the Universe to communicate with me. I wanted to co-create a sign—one that would serve as a gentle nod, a symbolic confirmation that I was on the right path. A motherly squeeze. A quiet encouragement to keep going.
Turning to my right, I noticed a bright red Northern Cardinal perched in the bare branches of my neighbor’s bush. The moment I saw it, I knew—the Universe had chosen her sign.
Most of the time, I live in Northern California, where Northern Cardinals don’t exist, so I assumed my sign would be rare. But the Universe is not bound by earthly limitations. In the two months since that snowy day, she has sent me her squeeze more times than I ever expected.
Scrolling my TikTok FYP, I came across a live video of three Cardinals lined up at a bird feeder. Stepping into an art supply store, I spotted a Cardinal printed on a sheet of wrapping paper. And most recently, after an emotional day of personal breakthroughs and clarity, I received a text from my stepsister. Attached was a photo of a red Cardinal perched outside her window. She had no idea about my secret pact with the Universe.
But the Universe knew. And she is always speaking
.
I have a family of Cardinals around my house every year. They are beautiful creatures and what a wonderful sign to get from the universe.