Winter weather had brought much to a standstill. Including us. But the birds outside were definitely busy seeking as much food as they could find. You see, birds can lose up to 20% of their weight each day in temperatures this low. They must eat all day long just to stay warm.
Eric was keeping the bird feeders full, and we’d been watching and marveling at the beauty of even the littlest brown ones. When you look carefully, the plainest of birds are distinctly beautiful.
This quiet observance brought us gifts and opportunities for service.
This day, a chance to serve arrived in the forms of two tiny little birds who needed some help.
I heard a thump against the patio door. Something frightened a group of birds at a feeder way out in the yard and one flew into the glass. Prey birds had been swooping, hunting in the cold and startling the smaller birds. I went to check, and sitting in the snow was a tiny grey bird blinking one eye, but not the other. I watched for a bit and decided it might need care. I slid the door open, stepped out and scooped it gently into my hands. It didn’t resist even a little, so it was evident it was at least stunned.
I cradled it gently in my hands offering warmth and some energy. Presently, it began to blink both eyes. Then it sat up a bit higher and looked at me. Birds apparently appreciate being sung to, even if it’s not as lovely as their own voices. Pretty soon it was wiggling. I slid the door open and it flew to the table and then up into a tree across the yard. Whew! Here’s a picture of this sweet little one. I didn’t know what kind it was.
A while later, I was getting some lunch and . . . THUNK!
Oh dear. I went to the door. There in the snow, face down, was a tiny yellowish bird with black and white wings; a goldfinch. Again, I slid the door open and gently scooped it up. I was worried about this one. It lay in my hands, eyes closed, with its beak resting against me. I offered some energy and warmth and it opened it eyes and lifted its head a little. But you can see here that it didn’t look well.
I kept offering energy and pretty soon it was sitting up nicely. I slid the door open and it would not fly off. My hand was freezing, so I withdrew it from the cold through the narrow opening of the door and the little bird just came back inside with my hand. I tried this three times. Hmmm, it wasn’t ready.
Perhaps a little CranioSacral therapy was needed.
I checked its wings. Both moved well enough, so I gently palpated (and gently is an overstatement for such a tiny creature, it’s more like intention of feeling rather than actual touch) along the attachments of the wings. Clearly, it had struck the glass on the peak (shoulder) of its right wing as that’s where the feathers were loose. I put a finger lightly against it’s feathers and, sure enough, there was an energy cyst from the impact. A clearly palpable therapeutic pulse came into my finger and awareness. I offered a tiny bit of energy and stayed with the process until completion. In a few minutes the pulse increased and then vanished. Suddenly our little friend was perched proudly on my hand!
I stroked its wings and back and sung it a little song. After a while, it hopped down and was ready to go! I lifted it, opened the door, and extended my arm outside. It took flight and landed in a nearby bush. You can see it here on the left side of the image.
So even stuck at home, I was able to offer what I could. I like that.
And I think that’s always true. No matter what has us down, there’s still something within us we can offer someone to increase love in the world.
~ Jana Moon