It’s simple. It’s powerful. It’s life.
In the back of our house, we have a three-sided, covered porch. It’s a great place to sit, relax, and enjoy the yard, sheltered from the sun and rain. We can listen to music out there, or sit and read, or just enjoy each other’s company – or, even some solitude.
There are wicker chairs with big comfy cushions to lounge on, and a round glass table with bentwood chairs for a summer dinner or a game of Scrabble. There is also an artificial ficus tree in one corner, sitting just outside of our living room windows. We have a beautiful view, especially in the morning, when we can enjoy the sun rising over the fields behind us.
This year, we also have a bird’s nest on our porch.
A cardinal built a nest in the artificial tree, about five feet off the ground. We have a great view
through our living room window. Since she started building the nest, I have been watching daily for new activity. There are two eggs in the nest, which should hatch any day now. Mama bird is spending more and more time sitting on the nest, and seems each day to be less likely to fly away as we approach the window. It takes about 11-14 days for cardinal eggs to hatch, and I believe we are now on day 11.
I’ve taken numerous pictures through the living room window, some of which are posted here. When mama bird flies away I can also go out on the porch and carefully maneuver my camera through the branches to take up close photos. I can’t wait for the baby birds to hatch!
My husband shared with me on Sunday that the sermon at his church was about enjoying the simple things. Observing a bird nesting and then mothering her babies is simple. It’s also powerful. It’s life.
I remember going through the same excitement when my children were little and a robin’s nest was built in a wreath on our front porch. Through the eyes of a child, it was pure wonder. They and their friends would check every day to see if the birds hatched. Then, they watched the baby birds get bigger, grow feathers, feed, chirp, and eventually fly away. The empty nest was a sad symbol. For a little while, every time my children would see a robin, they would ask if it could be one of the birds from our nest. Eventually, they realized that the birds couldn’t stay in the nest forever.
It was a necessary part of life for the birds to go out on their own.
This also reminds me of our human family. I know some people who have been very, very sad when their children have left home. Their “empty nest” somehow signified the end of their purpose. Instead, I find great joy in the adults my children have become. Yes, they both flew out of our nest and never looked back. However, they are well-educated, have great friends, successful careers, interesting opinions, and frequently visit with us.
Our purpose, as parents, has not ended. It has entered a new phase.
When our cardinal nest is empty, it will be another sign that life goes on, just like when children leave the home. We can choose to fight it and be sad about the loss and the change, or we can choose to embrace it and celebrate the growth and independence.
It’s simple. It’s powerful. It’s life.
Tags: Family, Fully Present, Gratitude, Happiness, Life, Peace
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