Hope, Bluebirds, Tragic Bunnies & Others
Hope and Bluebirds
The bluebirds are getting my hopes up again this year. Several pairs are touring the bluebird boxes in the backyard as I write this. All boxes are for “sale by owner.” These have been on the market for a while. They are “cozy.” The neighborhood is chick friendly and has all the amenities a bluebird family might want. One is a bit of a handybird’s special, but one has yet to be lived in.
My hopes have been dashed repeatedly. I placed these boxes after researching what bluebirds look for in nest location. And, of course, so I can see them from my office. Although they cluster around these houses in consideration this time of year and in early spring, when it comes time to settle down, they lay their eggs elsewhere. My neighbor down the street has some very spiffy houses and a much tidier yard. There are a lot of bluebirds down there year after year. I still hope for baby bluebirds, but I won’t count on it.
Bunnies in the Garden
It’s not as bad as the bunnies, though. There are many bunnies in our neighborhood. I probably don’t need to tell you; I am a fan of bunnies. I see them occasionally in our yard, but not enough. The bunnies could eat anything they wanted if they would just move in. At least once a year, they get my hopes up. I see a single bunny emerging from under the shed. Gasp. Then, a pair! It’s happening!
Tragedy ensues every time. One day, I’m excited by a baby bunny in the ivy; the next day, I’m startled by their carcass on the path. (Maybe this lady has something to do with it). They can walk through it seems, but if they linger and contemplate making this space home, bad things happy to these good bunnies. Fortunately, there seem to be plenty of bunnies to go around in the neighborhood.
Goldfish and Herons
One more hope story: we used to have beautiful goldfish in our little pond. Herons discovered them, too. I came home one day to find all the fish gone and an iridescent oil slick on the surface of the water from the heron’s feathers. I stared in despair into the still water. After a few moments, I saw movement. There was one tiny fish left. Somewhere, deeply hidden, there might have been another because soon the pond flashed gold with the synchronized movements of many baby fish.
Cultivating Hope
Like many of you, I am trying to cultivate hope in a year and a time when finding hope feels particularly challenging. I will offer no trite advice about how you may find it because it’s different for each of us. I am happy to talk with you about it, strategize, empathize, and collaborate on new ideas.
My friend Jill recently shared this quote from Rachel Carson, which seems fitting for now. “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
Wishing you a peaceful heart,
Mara
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