Living near nature puts you in touch with the sanctity of all life. I am spending Memorial Day weekend at my parents’ home on a lake in Mississippi. They watch the birds that come and go like they are their own family. Mom called me a few months ago to tell me the goslings had hatched. And now those babies have grown and still come by every afternoon. When years ago the Canada geese were invasive and leaving behind a stinky mess, now they are part of the nature of things that live with my parents. They cry out, “The babies are here!” My father says he has new respect for the species because the father stays with the mother and goslings.
Around Easter, I noticed a new contraption in my neighbor’s front oak tree. I couldn’t tell what it was, but there was a metal ladder, a wooden platform with a small umbrella set above it. What could this project be?
We saw our neighbors at the Boy Scout banquet last week and Svitlana shared with me her story. She had rescued a baby owlet and the mother owl. They had both been injured in a storm. Ric made a platform for her to place a basket on. She cared for the mother and child for about 6 weeks. She fed the mother who then fed her baby. I was enthralled by her story. She sent some pictures to me.
In her poetry, Mary Oliver reminds me to pay attention. We are all part of the family of things. Nature can guide us to ourselves and to God. I want to live in this knowledge and appreciate the sanctity of nature.
What a peaceful and caring nature slice.
Such a beautiful piece of writing! The owl photos are amazing. I am very grateful to live in an area where nature has such a strong presence. I never want to live in an urban or suburban environment again–even though I do miss some of the amenities of urban/suburban life. But getting to see bald eagles, pronghorn, and buffalo every time I drove to town more than makes up for it!
Funny that my parents live outside a metropolitan area. The lake is man made but who cares. It’s a space for solace and for nature to thrive. Thanks for commenting.
How utterly fascinating, the discovery of the owlet. Nature is utterly fascinating. Once when attempting to create a six-word memoir, I came up with: “Nature speaks to me. I listen.” I didn’t fully realize how much it speaks until I started writing regularly. That’s when I began listening in earnest. I adore Oliver and her poem Wild Geese. My father so loved Canada geese that I gave him two decorative ones for his yard one Christmas .. there are layers of things I love here in your reflection.
What a lovely connection to you through your six word memoir and love for nature and your gift to your father. Thanks.
Margaret, I love the way that nature helps us to pay attention and appreciate the world just a little bit more. And for me, the camera helps too. I love the owl story! So touching!
Kim
Margaret, we clearly have a similar affinity for and appreciation of nature! I love this post with its nod to Mary Oliver, its celebration of nature and OWLS! (I adore owls!) Aren’t we lucky to be surrounded by natural beauty!?
We had an owl in our backyard for about 2 weeks last summer. He ate every critter and then left. At night we’d hear him calling to his mate, and she’d answer back. It was delightful!
I LOVE the pictures and the story of the owls! He looks grateful in the picture! You do such a good job of paying attention to the world around you.
What amazing owl pictures! The one in the basket is incredible. And what a wonderful meditation on nature and its importance in our lives. All of that and the nod to Mary Oliver has me looking forward to spending the summer at my parents’ lake house in SC. We’re city-dwellers here; I can’t wait for my boys to experience country.
I hope you will slice during your trip. What fun!
Living with nature requires noticing and knowledge. Nature needs to be nurtured and it nurtures us along the way.
Such a heartwarming story, Margaret, and I love your last lines. Nature is such a source of inspiration so we must all protect it like you have shown in this post.