Feathered lightning
Monday February 13th 2012, 12:00 am
Filed under: Family,Friends,Wildlife

We told Sam we would check our (silenced) phones if she texted us during church; we wanted to know how her day was going.

And so while our friend Russ was on the stand making an impassioned plea for people to participate in a Red Cross blood drive the church was going to be sponsoring in Menlo Park, that message came in, driving home Russ’s point unbeknownst to him.

Seriously down on those platelets. More so. Trying one more thing before transfusing.  There are risks–but if she has to, a profound thank you for each person who makes it possible, and likewise to all who have added their prayers with ours.

It’s been a stressful time around here.

Our doorbell rang. It was a friend with a tiny miniature rose plant and a few homemade chocolate chip cookies, just because. Happy Valentine’s!

She had no idea. She had no idea how much it meant to me. I am determined to grow that three-inch Parade rose into something that blooms in my garden for decades in grateful remembrance of that act of unexpected kindness.

And as the sky started to dim in the late afternoon I suddenly had a feeling of being watched. Curious. I glanced up.

And just outside was the male Cooper’s hawk, perched on the chairback under the birdfeeder, people watching. My heart went out to him in thanks; somehow, when life gets really hard, one of them always seems to show up.

And there he was.  Beautiful red chest, bluegray/white racing stripes on his head, craning his neck to show a gray stripe at the bottom of it too.  He bobbed a bit, looking around just in case any dinner might happen to stumble on the scene, but mostly he was simply watching me.

We took each other in.

He opened his beak and again and said something I wished I could hear.

I thanked God for sending him to me; and with that, he raised his wings, turning, and flew in the one direction where I would be able to follow his path between the trees across our yard and on past the neighbor’s as he went–gone in a wingbeat, so fast!

I feel now like I can handle anything again.


11 Comments so far
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“His eye is on the sparrow.”

And sometimes he manifests as a Cooper Hawk.

Comment by afton 02.13.12 @ 5:58 am

XO

Comment by (formerly) no-blog-rachel 02.13.12 @ 6:39 am

Love Afton’s comment. Hugs and prayers.

Comment by Channon 02.13.12 @ 8:08 am

Flora and feathers to make it all a little lighter. In their lightness there is strength. Wishing good news today.

Comment by DebbieR 02.13.12 @ 8:17 am

your Cooper’s being the wind beneath your wings

thinking about you and praying for the best

Comment by Bev 02.13.12 @ 8:42 am

Hugs and prayers, for you and Sam

Comment by Sherry in Idaho 02.13.12 @ 8:44 am

Please keep us posted on Sam’s health. (It looks like she’s busy enough trying to stay alive that she’s not keeping up with her blog.)

Our last attempt to donate blood was sort of a disaster. We went to a Red Cross Center with a dozen employees, with an appointment, but they dealt with only one donor during the 45 minutes we waited. When I asked if there wasn’t anyone else who could help, they explained, casually, that the ten other people were in different departments. Ralph got so annoyed that we left. I’m going to look around for another place to donate, because it’s a very good thing to do–if they will accept you.

I’m glad your hawk is keeping a close eye on you.

Comment by LauraN 02.13.12 @ 9:00 am

Amazing how the unexpected can lift our spirits.
And thanks for the reminder to pray for Sam.

Comment by Don Meyer 02.13.12 @ 9:44 am

Like DebbieR, wishing good news today.

Comment by LynnM 02.13.12 @ 11:35 am

Sam is in our thoughts, many healing (virtual) hugs sent for her, and all who love her.

Comment by Diana Troldahl 02.13.12 @ 12:43 pm

Lots of prayers for you and yours! I too hope you all get encouraging news soon.

Comment by Suzanne in Montreal 02.13.12 @ 1:16 pm



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