Out My Window

Outside my window, where everything feels still and the snow is piled high, three soft brown robins and a cardinal hop and flutter about. The bright red cardinal immediately catches my eye against the pure white snow. He seems aware of how much he stands out, like he wants to be noticed.

He is deliberate in his motions as he darts from place to place, tilting his head as if listening, then pecking carefully at the snow in search of food. Three small robins hop along beside him pausing to search for bits of food.

For the next five minutes, this continues. The cardinal pauses to listen, scans the ground, then moves again, while the robins follow. Suddenly, he flies off leaving the view of my window.

As I watch him fly away, I wonder if he was here to remind me that soon the snow will melt and springtime is near, or was he here to reassure me that my grandma is still watching over me.

About five minutes later, through the trees I notice a large black cat sitting perfectly still on the fence. He is enjoying a small patch of sunlight. The sun gleams off his fur, making him look warm in spite of the snow and cold air around him.

The cat seems completely unbothered as his tail flicks lazily behind him, relaxed and watchful. He stretches one paw forward, then settles back into place, adjusting himself in the warm sunlight. He is a calm and content guy.

As I continue to watch him, the cat brings me the same sense of peace and enjoyment I felt with the cardinal.