What does it mean?

I’m not going to talk about the outstanding opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris nor about JD Vance’s opinion about some of us, childless, cat-loving women. Those topics are being thoroughly dissected by the media.

Instead, I want to share an unusual experience. Just a couple of days ago, I found three dead baby robins on my porch. The sight was disturbing. If I hadn’t already experienced the death of my sweet Poncho, I might have freaked out. Instead, I felt a profound sadness as I looked at the three little birds, lying there lifeless.

Some of us see occurrences like this as meaningful, as if the universe is trying to tell us something or give us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and consider the bigger picture of our lives. So, we start searching for answers…

Robins are often seen as symbols of renewal, new beginnings, and growth. Their bright red chests and cheerful songs announce the spring and the promise of warmer days. But it’s summer and already warm… Perhaps they remind us of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, and the continual opportunity for transformation.

The number three holds significant meaning in many cultures and spiritual beliefs. It often represents balance, harmony, and completeness. Many things come in threes – past, present, and future; mind, body, and spirit; birth, life, and death – highlighting the importance of this number in understanding the world around us.

While the death of a bird can represent grief, failure, and hopelessness, it also signifies the potential for change, transformation, and rebirth. Finding three dead baby robins could symbolize the end of one phase of life and the start of another. Their deaths might represent the conclusion of a chapter.

It could also serve as a stark reminder of the natural cycles of life and death. Nature is constantly in a state of flux, and witnessing this cycle helps us appreciate the fleeting and precious nature of life. In some spiritual traditions, robins are considered messengers from angels and the supernatural. The dead baby robins might be urging me to pay attention to my life.

At the same time, it might not mean anything. A pair of robins decided to build a nest above my porch, right on top of one of the two outdoor speakers. Sadly, something disturbed the nest, and the baby birds tried to flee and escape. Just another sad encounter that nature gifts us.

But why, in the 17 years since I’ve been living in this house, is this the first time I’ve witnessed something like this? What does it mean?

Whether it does or doesn’t mean anything, the choice is always ours, and so is the meaning we attach to it.