There are these moments that we are blessed to observe during which time stands still. We don't hear our ringing telephones or beeping alarms, we don't notice the ticking of the clock, or the grumbling of our bellies. Even the chatter in our minds – of all the things we should be doing and aren't – is silenced. We hear with our hearts and the whole of our being the magic of this world beyond our walls. And we revel in being invited in to witness. We are blessed to simply observe it unfolding, and we are grateful.
The red-winged blackbirds are back.
And if it weren't for my girl, who said, "Mama, what's that noise? Come and listen." and led me to the door, and then said, "They sound like red-winged blackbirds, mama!" we might have missed it all together.
But we didn't.
We saw it, we heard it, we felt it in our souls. And we will never forget it. So many birds, singing that they were home once more. By dark this flock was gone. Scattering, each bird is off to find its own territory in the wetlands around my town. By tomorrow they'll be bickering over who's marsh is who's. But tonight, they sang.
Welcome home, gentlemen. Thanks for the incredible show.
Beautiful!
Wow, great pics!
Do you know the David Francey song about them? I love love love these birds, and I love this musician, and especially this song. It’s simple called Red-Winged Blackbird. Please check it out.
I just put the song on and made a mental note to take my boys to the pond to check for them tomorrow, and then I read your post. Funny how that goes. It’s time!
Thanks for taking the time.
So pretty. What a great block print this would make!
What an amazing event to witness…those magical moments that nature provides are still so much more stunning than anything man does aren’t they? xx
Isn’t it wonderful when we are able to see things like this. Many would have missed it but not those, like you, who chose to be observant and reverant of the natural world.
This post is an appropriate time to say thank you. I’ve left my job, even though it was not a safe time to do so financially. It’s scary, and probably the most irresponsible decision I’ve ever made. But it’s also the best. I’ve been struggling with balance for years now, which has been stressful and depressing. I’ve found a lot of empowerment for this transition through various blogs, and in yours I’ve been continuously reminded that we must try to appreciate every single moment. That has really been my driving force, the awareness that we’ve only got this one life, this time, and we’re certainly not here to live in stress or sadness or “too busy.”
I recently was listening to MPR and there was some horrible story about people struggling to feed their families, or stay in their home, or live with domestic violence, or something unimaginable like that. I felt defeated. I felt hopeless. I thought, “We’re all struggling. Why are we all struggling?” And I decided right then and there that I would no longer live my life as a struggle. I would no longer allow myself to see it as a fight, a battle, or a hardship. I can choose to see it as an amazing opportunity to stop and be in awe over the red-wing blackbirds, or an ant, or my community. (My mom tipped me off to a book you might want to check out: Empowerment by Gershon and Straub. It’s sort of a workbook for manifestation.)
I’m not in one of those unimaginably horrible situations. I’m not discounting their struggles. But in my life, my fairly privileged life, I can and do choose to see the beauty in each day. And I choose to have faith that opportunities will open themselves up to me. Your words throughout the years have really helped me on that path. Thank you doesn’t nearly seem like enough.
Sounds like you found yourselves a holiday! The kind described by Byrd Baylor, in “I’m in Charge of Celebrations”. I love those moments. Mine was Friday and Saturday, marveling at how the snow had coated every last branch, and left behind a wonderland.
beautiful
I’m not familiar with it. I’ll look it up!
Ooohhh… amazing idea.
Indeed.
Thank you so much for your note, Joey. I’m so excited for you and all that is unfolding. You were brave to make the leap, but you know your heart and are following. Blessings, friend.
Love it!
It’s impossible to answer with words the classic, age old question of life. The paramount of philosophical dilemmas – the “why?”
But when you see things like this, I think, you feel the answer and with a smile, at last let go of the question.
So much beauty up in the sky. I could have sat there for hours. Lucky you to witness this ballet in the sky.