In Flight

We are blessed to live among a large variety of birds near our home.  One of the most fascinating is the Great Blue Heron, whom we affectionately call "Heathcliff".  The blue heron is at once awkward and elegant, slow and swift.  He perches motionless atop a small tree stump in the lake, surveying the waters for his next meal of fish.  Patiently he waits, then suddenly takes flight from the stump, the only sound a "whoosh whoosh" from his 7 foot wing span as he quickly gains altitude, his long legs trailing behind.

You wonder at first if this huge, long legged bird, will be able to fly any distance.  But, in a few seconds he is effortlessly aloft, taking advantage of the wind currents and looking as graceful as a ballerina.  Then, he suddenly banks to one side and descends rapidly toward the water, and just as you think "this is it - the poor thing is going to crash and burn" - he lands on the water's surface with barely a splash while simultaneously lowering and tucking his 7 feet of wings comfortably into his sides.

After breathing a sigh of relief that I didn't witness the tragic death of such a magnificent bird, I pause and consider the beauty of the sum of all his traits.  Each trait on it's own is not all that impressive, but when you put the whole package together - WOW!  Now, you've really got something!

Be love and be blessed!

Father's Day

It is Father's Day and many men are to be honored.  There are those who sacrifice much for their families needs and security.  Many have given their lives not only for their families but for future generations of their countrymen.  I know dozens who work hard to set an example of love, respect and service so their children can learn how to live a purposeful, meaningful life.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a decent father figure growing up.  And, even decades into adulthood, the effects of not having that important role in my life still linger like the smell of burnt toast long after it is in the trash.  Worse still though, the effect of having an abusive father is a pain that never completely heals.  Though not often now, sometimes I still hear him say "You're stupid", or "You're dumb", or "Shut-up", or a host of other unpleasantries that killed my self esteem and doomed me for relationship failures and poor choices in my early years.

God gives us opportunities to redeem the brokenness of our lives.  He uses our losses, our shortcomings and our pain to deliver us into a future of promise and fulfillment.  It may not be an easy road, this imperfect life we live, but if we remain open to bettering ourselves, to learning from failures and to allowing healing of our shattered souls we can come to a place of acceptance, of peace, and of understanding.  We can use our pain to be great parents, friends, spouses and to encourage and teach others that they also have purpose!

Creature Comforts

I was blessed today by the privilege of comforting one of God’s exquisite creatures as he took his last breath of life. It rained buckets last night and this morning. During a break in the rain I walked out to get the mail and found a wet, injured baby bird lying under a tree, apparently unable to remain in the nest amid the heavy rain and winds.

Sadly, I could tell he was not going to survive, but I couldn’t bear to leave him lying there to die struggling alone on the wet, cold ground. As he was soundlessly gasping for air, his wings splayed and head unnaturally tilted back, I picked up the poor little bird, softly cuddling him in my palm. Folding his wings into his body and lightly stroking his head I cooed softly telling him how sweet he was. He took his last breath and gently left his life in the palm of my hand.

Every life is precious and so the ending of one is a sacred and poignant moment. To be there to hold a loved one’s hand as they leave their earthly existence for their eternal home, or to cuddle a sweet creature of nature as they take their last innocent breath is not unlike holding the tender hand of God himself. Thanks be to our Divine Creator and Giver of Life.

Be blessed!