When the Savior was baptized, The Holy Ghost’s presence was symbolized in the form of a dove descending upon Jesus.  The dove represented the presence of the Holy Ghost, but was not the Holy Ghost.

Across many cultures and religious traditions, people have associated birds and animals with the presence, memory, or nearness of departed loved ones. These traditions are not usually formal doctrines, but are long-standing symbolic and folk traditions meant to express comfort, continuity, hope and presence.

An example from the book “The Bruce R. McConkie Story” by his son Joseph Fielding McConkie, Deseret Book 2003.  Elder McConkie gave his last conference talk in April 1985. He passed away a few days later. The family had made plans to go to the Holy Land that spring.

From the book, pages 418,419: “That spring, according to Dad’s wish, the family made the trip to the Holy Land that we had been planning . . . . We spent some sacred moments together on the Mount of Beautitudes . . . .  At the Garden Tomb outside the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem, we found a quiet place and sat in a circle to listen to a recording of Dads last talk. As we listened, a dove flew down into the center of our group, where it remained until Dad’s final amen.”

Lorna’s symbol is Hawks. I have no recollection of why I believe that or where that belief came from. The evidence is overwhelming to me/us,  that it is true. Odd times, odd places. When seeing one, we always think of her.  Anymore, I just say “I love you too.”

For Bob and Madelyn; butterflies ( teenage son).

For Cory and Tracy; owls ( Tracy’s mother).

For Bekah; butterflies (sister).

For Carley; crows (brother).

For Kensie and Cameron; rainbows (still born full term twins).

From the Hymn “How Great Thou Art”

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentile breeze . . .

Loved ones often speak to us through the “quiet symbols of God’s creations”.