By Jennifer Klitzke

Merry Christmas in a Naturally Walkin’ Wonderland

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas with lots of naturally walkin’ wonderland in the New Year!

The photo above is of my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Makana and I enjoying a little walkin’ in wonderland. The cardinal represents memories of my late father and the star represents my faith in our CHRISTmas gift.

The Cardinal

Hours before dad passed, a male and female cardinal perched in a tree outside the window of his room. It was a cold, winter day with no bird feeders in sight. This made it more unusual that the cardinals were there, but it was special because dad loved cardinals.

Dad passed that night.

The next day my mom, sister and I were preparing dad’s funeral. We were looking through the programs and were stunned to see one with a cardinal on it. Then we told the chaplain about the cardinals outside dad’s window the day he died.

The chaplain said the cardinal is symbolic of those who have departed and come back to escort a loved one on to eternal life. It was significant that a male and female cardinal were at Dad’s window, because his parents had died a few years ago.

My Grandma had faith in Jesus, and I shared my faith in Jesus with Grandpa and Dad for the hope of eternal life.

There was no doubt in my mind that the male and female cardinal were angels God had sent to give us hope that Grandma, Grandpa, and Dad are with Jesus until one day we join them for eternity.

Even though there will be an empty place at the Christmas table this year, I know Dad is in a better place. A place with no more tears, or pain, or sorrow. And I will see Dad again thanks to that precious CHRISTmas birth.