This is for the birds

There are several "posts in waiting," but this one couldn't, or shouldn't, or won't. This past week, I spent a considerable amount of time with the birds. Watching them, listening to them, trying to decipher whose call is whose when they're all singing at once just after dawn. One day I sat on a deck and watched as two robins literally played hide and seek in a very bushy tree. It was quite delightful, regardless of the fact that there is likely some
"nature" thing going on besides just the sheer play factor that I observed. I sat and watched them for 15 minutes, completely relaxed and grinning like an imp when it was time to go play myself.
A couple of mornings later, having slept with the windows open, I was awakened by singing. Not my daughter's, or my friends' (in whose house I was staying), but by the birds'. Not just a couple of them either. Lots of them. Layered voices from outside the window beckoned my brain before it was light enough outside to see them all( a task I am not adept at I might add..). Considering I'm on vacation, listening from bed seemed a reasonable endeavor. Immediately I had a flashback to my son being about three and waking me at 4 ish in the morning, still dark, no bird sounds whatsoever...."Psst. mommy.... I'm up before the birds today." "Honey, that's lovely. Their mommies are all still sleeping... go back to bed." And he did. The next day...at least it was light out..."Psst...mommy...I waited for all the birds to be up today." Breakfast was very early that morning... and for many mornings because my son had experienced over and over the simple delight of the birds announcing the beginning of a new day.
Beyond the flashback, was the moment itself: simple, inviting, chaotic yet completely harmonious. An incredible gift of sound and wondering, a new day... Life is good.