My Mom sent me a hummingbird

Or so I like to think! A week after she died, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up at my bay window, just when I needed cheering up so much. I was coming down with a severe case of bronchitis, on top of mourning Mom. Let me give you some background:

When I lived with Mom, I spent almost 15 years trying EVERYTHING to attract hummingbirds; no go. I've never even seen one in the flesh at someone else's house. I've always wanted to see one just once in my life. Mom knew this, and we talked about it sometimes when I lived there. I gave up trying when I moved here. I did buy a feeder last year, but never used it. Imagine my surprise when I was sitting on the sofa, feeling down about Mom, and saw something out of the corner of my eye! I was estatic! I went out ot the shed, made some nectar, and hung it out. She's been coming back (alone) many times a day to feed.

I named her Joya. In Spanish, the poetic term, joyas voladores ("flying jewels,") is sometimes used as a name for hummingbird. ("Joya" means "jewel", and I love jewels!). My Grandmother used to call Mom "Joy" (short for "Joyce", her real name). So, the name fits very well, don't you think? The irony of the "ruby-throated" part is that my throat WAS ruby-red at the time, having been very sick! (The female however, has a white/grey gorget, not red.)

Now, you may think the 'Mom sent me" part is horse manure; maybe it is. But, you can't imagine how happy I am to have my own hummingbird!

Joya has just gotten the gift of 3 honeysuckle and 1 trumpet creeper vine tonight (eBay). I want to make her happy, and also to keep her coming back every year.

Thanks, Mom! I'll take good care of her.

I'm in a terrible mood right now...but that story made me smile. It's amazing how the simplest things in life can bring so much happiness to a single person.

I'm very happy you finally got to experience your first hummingbird and at such a sad time in your life. I hope she stays around a long time for you.

Originally Posted by LuvMyParker

I'm in a terrible mood right now...but that story made me smile. It's amazing how the simplest things in life can bring so much happiness to a single person.

I'm very happy you finally got to experience your first hummingbird and at such a sad time in your life. I hope she stays around a long time for you.

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I'm so sorry you're feeling bad right now. I'm glad my story made you smile! Take care.

This warmed my heart. I believe you 100% as Mom and I believe my Grandfather sends us butterflies.

I believe you, too. And I'm so glad you have your hummingbird!

One of my GFs gave me a Christmas cactus back in 2008. It shot out new growth, but it didn't seem to want to bloom. Well, back around the beginning of November last year, it bloomed and it was beautiful. It was covered in pretty pink flowers. And I figured, "Well, that's it. It's done now."

My aunt passed away the beginning of December and my father passed one week later. And in one week after Dad died, that cactus was covered in buds again. It just bloomed and bloomed and bloomed; that thing bloomed three times! I've never heard of such a thing. It was just gorgeous. People from other offices were coming over just to look at it.

And what really made it special was that my co-worker also has a Christmas cactus and I'm taking care of both of them....they're sitting side by side on the table in our planning office at work. It didn't bloom. Pushed out a ton of new growth but didn't even set bud. We said that was my aunt and my dad telling me that they were OK.

It will probably never bloom again!

My dd's best friend's mom died 5 years ago, when my daughter had just finished 4th grade. It was extremely tough for her to deal with, as Amy had been as close to a "second mom" as my daughter had.

IMMEDIATELY after I'd told her about Amy's death, we went out into the backyard. A butterfly began fluttering all around my dd's head. It stayed even while Bella swam in our pool, watching over her. I suggested that Amy had sent it, and she liked that.

For the remainder of the summer (this was early July) we saw more butterflies than ever before. In the yard, in the car, in the house. We once had 5 in the house at one time.

Fantasy world or not...they really helped brighten the days following Amy's death. My daughter is a swimmer, and to this day dedicates her swim to Amy any time she swims the butterfly.

Hope you feel better soon, MargeCat. Enjoy your little hummingbird!

You guys all have me in tears.....what perfect, heartwarming stories

Very special gift from your mom . I am glad Joya (perfect name ) came to you in your time of need. Heartwarming story . Hope your spirits are lifted

I love hummingbirds and you almost never see them still. I saw one perched on a tree branch. And then I noticed a small bunch of twigs next to her. She had a nest!! It was high up in the pine tree so I couldn't see the babies, but it was cool to see one still.

I almost forgot about this story...my Dad died in October, 1999. I had many issues with him, which I've spoken about here over the years, but I did enjoy the way he'd imitate people--in other words, mocking them.

A week after he died, a lone mockingbird would fly to the picture window, where Mom had her chair, which she spent a LOT of time in every day and night. When she'd get up, it would fly to the roof peak opposite, returning each and every time she sat back down, and it would stare at her through the window.

A few days later, my brother knocked on that window from the outside, so he could show Mom something: the mockingbird had let him pick him up! My brother had the bird cupped in his hands! Mockingbirds are aggressive birds--and this bird was not injured, sick, etc. He just let my brother hold him.



A few days later, the same brother was down in the well pit, fixing the jerry-rigged pump. Dad probably had it on his mind when he died, worrying about leaving Mom with the darned thing (he was the only one who could fix it). My brother was fixing it most of the morning. The mockingbird was back--a few feet away, on a bush--watching him the whole time. It wouldn't take its eyes off him!

A week or so later, "Dad" must have found another lady. Mom saw him for the last time--at the same window, but with his "bride" by his side, looking at Mom. They stayed a few minutes, then flew off.


Keep your stories coming--I love reading them! I'm so happy I could warm your hearts.

My sisters mother (my sister was adopted out as a baby) is terminally ill with cancer. She LOVES butterflies. They have been a comfort to her these last several months.

I hadn't seen any this year but Saturday before last when we were taking Sami to the vet, one showed up as we went inside. It literally flew around the window where I was standing almost the entire time I was there. It left moments before we headed back home.

That same day my mom went to the circus with my niece and nephew and sister in law. My niece insisted a butterfly be painted on her face then fell in love with this rubber/glowy butterfly thing and carried it around all day. (The kids don't know her mother).

I get why people think stuff like that is weird or irrelevant but I don't think it is. I find comfort in that sort of thing.

I have no doubt at all that your hummingbird is a gift from your mom. I'm so happy for you -- I know what a comfort Joya must be!

My mother loved butterflies. Friends planted a butterfly bush at our Gem & Mineral club and just as they left, a butterfly had landed on it. They took a pic and showed it to me to let me know Mom was still visiting the club.

but now there's ANOTHER female with Joya! She hovered right in front of me, peering through the window at me. Her name is Emerald (due to her lovely green plumage), Emmy for short. I guess Mom wanted me to have another pet hummingbird!

Some funny coincidences today:

In the mail was a birthday gift card pack for local merchants, which I've never seen before (my birthday is later this month). It said, "Happy Birthday, MargeCat" on the outside. Ok, no big deal--it's a mass mailing. But the first store name that leapt out at me was: JOYA. Never heard of the place until today. It's in my hometown, where Mom lived until recently. Inside were many very good discount cards for fancy restaurants in the area. Think Mom's trying "take me out" for a birthday dinner? LOL

I was watching JTV (Jewelry TV) earlier, about 30 minutes after I discovered Emerald. They usually don't have animal-themed stuff, at least since I've been watching, but the next item up the turntable was an emerald hummingbird pin/pendant. Sadly, it's out of stock. Drat!

Ok, Mom--now we need a boyfriend or two for the girls, so I can have have my hummingbird dynasty...I did resist the temptation to get a hummingbird tattoo--I actually considered this (I have no tattoos). Mom would NOT have approved, though. I think I'll stick to the jewelry--it's cheaper, and certainly less painful to acquire!

Hey, I completely believe Joya was sent by your mom. We have no idea how the spirit word works so it's very possible.

Some of these stories hit really close to home. First, let me share the story of the cards. Dad passed away in 2002, and mom in 2004. I wasn't there for most of my dad's sickness (lived in Guam), but I moved home after he passed to help my mom, and took care of her once she was diagnosed with cancer. It took almost a year after she passed before I felt ready to sell the house, then it was a mad dash to try to clean it out. I was cleaning out one out of the way cabinet (held mainly holiday decorations and such), when I found a bag with 2 cards. One was a birthday card "to my beloved daughter", and the other was a congratulations wedding card. The thing was, this was 2 weeks before our wedding and 3 weeks before my birthday. It probably was a coincidence and they were stuck away years before she got sick, but it still gave me chills.

Then, there was the Christmas Cactus (funny how someone else posted about the same plant). My mom had a Christmas Cactus for probably 12 years. It was given to her by someone that had it for years prior and couldn't for the life of her, get it to bloom. Mom babied it and did everything she could to get some blooms but nothing. Until the winter she was stuck in bed with cancer. That cactus, which was huge and very healthy at this point, was in her room, and bloomed her heart out that winter! There were so many blooms that I was picking them off the floor a few times a day, and more kept coming. She was so thrilled!! (I kept it going for a few years, but the dog got hold of it one spring and tore it to pieces. I bawled my eyes out when I saw the massacre).

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds had a special place in my heart. I did a project on them in 6th grade and have yet to see one. We have a different species around here, they are pretty but I would love to see one of those (especially the male) in person. Hummingbirds, to me, are magical, so I'm sure your mom is behind this!

These stories are so beautiful, and so reassuring.

Wow, that's pretty amazing that, after never seeing a hummingbird in your whole life, now a 2nd hummingbird has moved in the area! I hope they stay and make your yard their home. They really are special, and even more so for you.


I should apologize for posting over the last weekend that Genever caught a hummingbird. Like I said, though, I grabbed her immediately, and it buzzed off when I touched it, so it wasn't harmed. They still fly around our yard all the time, so no hard feelings I guess.

Tonight, I saw our first male hummingbird (Marco) and a NEW female (Ruby), which makes a total of 4 birds! I had planted some more enticing plants for them; perhaps this is why there are more.

Every time a new one appears, they always turn around from the feeder, and hover in front of me (I'm at the window), almost as if they're introducing themselves! Each bird has done this the first time I encounter them. Perhaps they're investigating me due to my red hair?

Oh, and Gemma (our cat) was harassed by a female one tonight--the first time I've seen the birds & cats notice each other. (Gemma was at the window screen, not outside.)

We haven't gotten many hummingbirds this season

Oh, this is wonderful! And maybe the reason they introduce themselves is that they've been sent by friends who told them about the nice redheaded lady who runs a hummingbird restaurant. :-)