2-13-20 Sandhill cranes flying over my head yesterday morning, Paradise Meadows area, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

I had only seen their tracks in the arroyo when it is flowing, and had never even seen them before, yet, for about ten minutes, the entire winter flock of 30-40 cranes..with seven-foot wingspans..streamed in looping circles over my head, resembling a living feather boa.

Their calls sounded like the shaky notes of unskilled trumpet players.

I became uneasy, wondering if one of them was going to execute some "sandhill crane" head-buzzing greeting, like the way local raptors and ravens greet me, but

even when I continued on with my hike, the cranes moved with me, continuing to circle over my head.

When I wondered why, the female crane leader projected the thought to me, "Your daughter sent us, to cheer you up."

Just the day before I'd messaged my daughter that I was losing motivation to continue to face the cancer pain, she said I needed something to inspire me.

I didn't pay much attention to what the crane "said" at the time, though, more worried about one of the huge birds trying to greet me in some scary way.

So I "thought" some love to them, and they seemed satisfied, and left. I hurried on, wondering what all that was about.

On later reflection, I remembered what the lead crane had "said," so I messaged Jerielle, thanking her for sending the cranes to cheer me up. She said she'd thought that would do that trick!
Like me, both my kids "talk" to animals.