Among Celtic Druids, the wren (drui-en) is a sacred bird. Old folktales proclaim that even though the wren was the smallest of the birds
, he was proclaimed king of the birds. Through its song, the wren was known as “the messenger,” and its beautiful sound was widely observed as a form of divination. The message of the wren is about humility and attention to small things.
At least, that is what my set of Celtic Oracle cards tell me. I’m thinking about wrens these last few days. I told you in a post a few days ago that a wren had nested in my garage. We went to great lengths to get a window open, so that the momma bird could get to her babies, for I was sure that they would die of starvation with momma trapped outside.
I discovered the nest the morning after my brother and his wife buried their daughter. I was, of course, distraught at the thought of these hatchlings not surviving. I know they are only birds, and some folks consider them pests, but I couldn’t deal with more death in any form. The grief this week has kept me away from the computer. I’ve just been trying to heal my heart.
Yesterday, my niece would have celebrated her 33rd birthday, so it was an especially hard day for me. I tried to stay busy. I faced the computer to write for a guest post for another blog and started pondering what to tell you here. Laundry needed to be done, and I cringed when I stepped into the garage, thinking that surely those babies were dead by now — and I really didn’t want to know.
I noticed the momma bird, and realized that there was a crack in the liner of the garage door, and that was how she was getting inside to nest and feed her babies. What a relief! All this week I’ve been grieving for nothing.
Then, I heard a “cheep!” The tiniest, itty-bittiest wren I have ever seen flew past me! It was followed by three more! Hallelujah!
They survived and are already flying. I had no clue that they matured so quickly, but a little bit of internet searching took me to Faunascope, where the life of some hatchlings are chronicled until the 13th day when they “flew the coop.”
Tonight, tiny wrens are flying all over my garage, because their momma hasn’t shown them the way out. The place is getting covered in poop, and I don’t care. Those birds are alive — and life is good.
While my heart is still sad, I’m going to consider the words my brother told me when I asked him how he was doing. He said, “We’ve decided to try to live as normally as possible, because we don’t want to become anyone our daughter wouldn’t recognize.”
Indeed, life is very good on this Only The Good Friday. I think that my messenger wrens might have come to remind me of that.
Think about the good in your world today, and write a comment if you’d like. Or you can join some of the other people posting for Only The Good Friday.
RV Poetry; Candid Karina; All My Great, or Not So Great Adventures; Inside Mo’s Mind; Thorne’s World; Down River Drivel; Duward Discussion; Ramblings of an Unstable Mind; Insightful Nana; Newbie Lifeline; Everyday Tarot; West of Mars; Life’s Journey; Round Circle;
Please tell me if I haven’t gotten you linked yet (I’ve been a little distracted)! Here is hoping you have a day filled with only the good!
Other posts you might enjoy:
{ 13 comments }
I’m glad your wrens survived. I had a bird build a nest in a hanging planter on my porch. We had to be careful how we watered it. Finally the eggs hatched and the little ones flew the away. I love the twitter of new little birds.
Life is precious…and on occasion, we get reminded in simple sweet ways.
Insightful Nanas last blog post..Our Own Virus Pandemic – “Only The Good” Friday
I’m glad they survived, too! I’m such a worry wart.
Girl, YOUR OTGF post ROCKS! I love it.
We are bird fanatics. My husband feeds hundreds of birds all year long. It so much fun!
The Orioles and Humming Birds returned this week. Spring is finally here.
Love your wren picture! Happy your little birds made it.
Sheila
Sheila Atwoods last blog post..The Finish Line – Only The Good Friday
We feed the birds, but those pesky squirrels get the food! The video you posted about DJ is an inspiration, indeed! Thanks for participating.
Wow, your brother’s words are so powerful, and so poignant.
I’m really glad the little birds not only survived, but are ready to “fly the coop”…so exciting.
I love little birds. In fact, I’ve kept a bird feeder fully stocked all winter long on my balcony, because there were these three little birds who came by every morning for breakfast, and dead of winter, they’d eat their fill and sing to me while they did. What a great way to start the day, don’t you think?
My OTGF post is up as well.
Karinas last blog post..Only The Good Friday – It’s all so sweet
My brothers words are powerful, but he is a wise man. Just read your post for today…
I want to sponsor you for your cancer walk! I’m going to try to see if I can make the donation button work for me (I think I screwed up my PayPal account)
This is such a beautiful and poignant piece and your brother is truly wise. Losing a well loved family member so young is difficult, but the going forward with new life and with the goal of still being the person they would know is a wonderful way to deal with the sorrow.
Your little birds will inhabit the freedom of air and sky. Perhaps your niece shares that space.
Jamies last blog post..Endless Love
I’m thinking that Laura would have loved watching those birds, so I hope she’s seeing them now. Yep. My brother is smart (runs in the family
).
Enjoy Emerald Downs tomorrow! I’ve been thinking about you as I watched the Kentucky Derby.
Isn’t it marvelous when the Universe sends us something joyful just when we need it most? This OTGF is one of the most powerful, life-affirming pieces that I have ever read. I’m glad the Universe reached out to touch you and bring a smile to your face. My OTGF is posted at CoffeeBreak this week instead of Everyday Tarot, at least so far.
Chameleons last blog post..Only the Good Friday: Saints Coffee
Mom’s birthday was/is today. She would have loved your blog and your sense of humor, and your storytelling; she was a Carolina girl and used to tell us stories at bedtime.
Your brother put into words something quite important to the balance of humanity! Thank you for sharing – so much.
Marcias last blog post..Remembering with Smiles – Only the Good Friday
More kudos to your brother. I wrap myself up in self pity, sometimes I fail to remember that death is a part of life and that only their body is gone missing, the spirit is still there to hold onto and it must recognize us as we are.
The birds are cool. I had a guy working for me yesterday, doing heavy yard work. I stopped talking during an explanation of what I wanted him to do, to watch a blue jay. I said something like, “Those birds mean a lot to me to be here.” He wanted an explanation of why I said that. I explained some things to him about how I felt about our connection between mankind and nature. I watched as he worked and lifted his head when he heard the robins arguing. Another convert.
Those wrens are there because that’s where they are suppose to be right now. Listen to their messages. I’m sure they’ll say something to you.
Peace.
Spadomans last blog post..Only Good Fridays
You red-headed “wren witch” you!! Life is good and contains myriad piercing moments of incredible brightness amidst what sometimes seems like overwhelming shadow.
Peace, my friend.
Thornes last blog post..It’s All Good!
I love your brother’s attitude. As for the birdies… nature’s amazing. Simply amazing.
Keep on being able to see the beauty in it, my friend. It’s what makes us who we are.
Susan Helene Gottfrieds last blog post..Giving You: Bound By Honor
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