"I realize there's something incredibly honest about trees in the winter, how they're experts at letting things go." - Jeffrey McDaniel
I've had an exciting month watching my first pair of bluebirds build a nest in my bluebird box. She laid five eggs and all five hatched. I was able to check in on them almost daily until they got too big and could leave.
Last night I went to just listen for the babies standing next to the box and I heard nothing. Honestly, I got worried. I risked a peak and discovered they had fledged. They were gone. After a quick google search, I learned they don't come back. They take short flights in the yard and find safety nearby. The mother continues to feed them for a period of time.
I was sad. Today I sat out in the hammock and discovered the mama bird darting through the yard. She was going back and forth from a pair of trees and the bluebird feeder with mealworms. I couldn't find the babies and I'm convinced she was feeding them all day long by her actions.
I had let my babies go only to find joy today in watching the mother bustling about my yard going from tree to tree. I didn't expect to let go and find joy...I think there's something here; something bigger about life and honestly letting go.
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A beautifully-written response to the idea of letting go. I have bluebirds nesting in a birdhouse in my backyard also, and house finches in the wreath on my front door - both are on batch #2 of babies! They do bring such joy, birds. They are, in their way, blessings. That visual of the mother continuing to feed her babies hidden in the trees is a mighty one.
ReplyDeleteI loved this story. I'm thinking a lot about letting go...I love the way the mother bird was still a part even after the babies left.
ReplyDeleteSuch a well written emotional response to the invitation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this story.
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