Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/301854
116 It wasn't until my friend Angela witnessed the comfort I felt when a red bird showed up at the exact moment I needed it, that some- one – for the first time – really, truly understood. I have and can tell you about countless stories about my red bird. My most favorite story is the time I was privileged to be invited to a professional baseball game while working in California with co-workers. We had tickets right behind 3rd base about four rows up, and you felt like you were sitting on the field. I was feeling overwhelmed with the presence of Bryant for some reason. He loved baseball and I had never had the opportunity to bring him to a professional game although we had discussed it many times. This game was the Giants vs -- you guessed it – the Cardinals. There they were with their red birds on the front of their uniforms and right when I began to feel an overpowering urge to bust out in tears I heard the announcer say, "Next up, straight from the minors, making his debut is #35." I don't remember his name; only the instant contentment in know- ing this was Bryant's spirit letting me know he was here with me. My favorite #35 story is the time we lived on the river and we had a dock in our backyard. During spring and summer months you could sit and watch the boats go by for hours. This was Christmas time and it was very cold outside. I couldn't shake the funk I was in so I walked outside and just sat on the dock. Within a few minutes of a heavy heart I heard a speedboat coming down the river. I hadn't heard a boat in months, it just wasn't the season to normally hear or see a boat on the water. As the speedboat moved directly in front of me, I noticed it was white boat with a huge number 35 on its side. Nothing else on the boat except this number. I couldn't believe it at first, then I just looked up and said out loud, "I feel you son and I will stop feeling sorry for myself today.'' You may see a pet do something that makes you believe or feel tranquility just by holding something that belonged to child. I once heard about a mother who lost a child that had a bird peck on her