Several weeks ago I had the most beautiful visitor to perch on a wooden bench on our patio.  And, it was the sweetest surprise…one I won’t forget!

I had planned to write this post way before now and actually started it one afternoon.  There is some button on my laptop that I seem to accidentally hit causing what I have just written to be deleted.  Oh, I was so disappointed!!  I had written a few paragraphs, and then, in a flash they were all gone!!  I had researched before to see if I could find any info about why this happens and what it is that I might be hitting on my Macbook.  Well, even though I am usually so determined to find an answer, I suppose I didn’t look very far. I have since found out what I can do to retrieve lost info…yes, a bit more in depth research revealed the answer!!  And, it’s so simple…Command + Z!!  Oh, my goodness, I can’t tell you how many times I have needed this!!  And, the most frustrating thing about that post being lost was that I had looked and seen that the draft had saved several times.  However, it was nowhere to be found.  So, here I go again about the story of this beautiful Painted Bunting that visited our home.

It was a Sunday morning, and for some reason it was just one of those days that seemed to get off to a difficult start.  John and I seemed to be a bit cranky with each other, and he was not feeling well so we ended up not going to church.  Isn’t it kinda funny how sometimes we can look back trying to remember what it was that made us feel cranky, why we were short with someone, or such, and we just cannot even remember.  Makes me smile…that’s our little reminder that we don’t need to sweat the small stuff…whatever it was must not have been too important, huh?? {since we can’t remember it!}

I had just been out in my studio and had picked up my journal…one of them.  I flipped through it and happened to stop on a page from the week before where I wrote about a butterfly outside the window.  I had noticed a butterfly of the same coloring just a few days before, and then, there it was again.  And, it was flitting about right in front of the window in front of the table I am usually painting at.  It was as though it was dancing…just for me…and, it stayed there for several minutes.   I had written about how I loved that the butterfly had been in that same spot both days and how if it had been hanging out in another area outside the studio I would have probably missed seeing it.  I loved how it was like one of God’s sweet reminders for me to take time to look for the little things in life, to recognize the beauty that is all around, and how I liked to think of it as His message that He is always with us…we are not ever alone.

So, here I was on this Sunday morning…the sun was shining, and I was wrapped up in having a difficult start to my day.  I was headed to the kitchen to make something for lunch and just happened to turn around, and my eyes went straight to that bench that is just outside the French doors of the breakfast area.  And, there before my eyes was what looked like a pet bird.  It was beautiful!! It’s colors were so bright and brilliant!  At first, I think I thought it was a baby parrot!! {LOL}  If that bird had landed somewhere else I would have missed seeing him.  It was as though he purposely landed on the spot that was closest to the door.  And, he just stayed there.  Of course, I was so excited that my camera was close by on the kitchen counter so I grabbed it up and started snapping away.  And, that sweet bird sat right before me, turning his head this way and that, as though he was modeling for me.  It was as though he knew I needed that photoshoot with him…as though he knew it would be something I would share with others.

And, I did just that!!  I couldn’t wait to download the pictures and post one to Facebook.  The comments started coming in; everyone thought he was so pretty.  What a treat to have him visit my yard!  The comments that continued to be posted just kept me smiling all day.  I shared the picture on my personal page, my shoppe page, and in a couple of my group pages.  I loved all the positive energy this one little bird created.  It was as though everyone’s heart was overflowing as they looked at his picture.  And, it was as though they all saw a message in him…saw him as a messenger.  I thought so, too!!  He was a sign of HOPE, a reminder that some of the most beautiful things in life are so unexpected, and encouragement to not let the difficult things overshadow my gratitude list.

This beautiful Painted Bunting was just what I needed that day, and he touched my heart…and, many others.  He made me think about how many times there has been an unexpected beautiful surprise to show up at a time when I needed it most.  And, sometimes I might not have even really “seen” it til later.  I hope your life is dotted with sweet surprises just when you need them most.

Remember to take time to look for them…sometimes they are disguised, and other times they show up all bright and beautiful!!

Click on the above photo to go to my shoppe, Ann-Margaret’s, where you will find these beautiful note cards.  Some of the other photos will also be available soon as cards, as well.  I am still updating my shoppe with new artwork and adding my photography prints and note cards so there are lots of new things that will be added in the upcoming weeks!  🙂

May BRIGHT and BEAUTIFUL surprises pop up in your world today!!

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