Magnolia Springs was a true natures paradise, with so many varieties of birds and other wildlife.
Fannie Flagg
Theres a particular winter I want to tell you aboutit was not a good one for me.
I was grown-up and living and working in New York City, which is a long way from Alabama.
Credit:Fannie Flagg
I was feeling rather lost.
Needless to say, when the holiday season rolled around, I was certainly not in a joyful mood.
Then one afternoon, quite out of the blue, the phone rang.
Credit:Fannie Flagg
It was Miss Frances calling to invite me to spend Christmas with her in Alabama.
you oughta come home, honey, she said.
And so I did.
Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
I managed to get a few days off from work and headed down to Magnolia Springs.
It was a long and exhausting trip.
When I finally arrived, it was well after ten oclock on Christmas Eve night.
She and I caught up for a while, but she could see I was tired.
This was going to be a very sad Christmas, no matter where I was.
Early the next morning, I heard a gentle knock on my door.
A smiling Miss Frances entered with a warm mug of coffee and set it on my nightstand.
What a spectacular sight.
The dark, dreary yard had turned into a living holiday card.
A huge redbird landed right on the windowsill.
Come outside and play.
He then flew back down to join his friends below.
I was suddenly wide-awake.
Did you see that?
Miss Frances laughed and said, Yes, I did.
You know, your mother lovedredbirds.
I remember, I replied.
She always said they were her favorites.
I wish she were here with us to see them.
Then Miss Frances asked me something Ive never forgotten.
She smiled and responded, Well, honey, how do you know shes not?
They were just so fun to watch.
Reminiscent of tiny clowns, they charmed me with their little black masks.
Bright, cheery redbirds were everywhere that year.
Someone or something must have known that trip was exactly what I needed.
Ive even heard that some think they are a sign of good luck for the coming year.
Of course, we are all free to believe what we want.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
