I stumbled into the kitchen to get my morning coffee, like I do every morning, and I noticed my cat Mogely “ tracking” something . As I wiped my eyes to clean the blurriness away , I saw something very small fly across the room as Mogely quickly chased after it. I really thought it was a large moth. It landed on the kitchen floor right next to my feet.  As I leaned over , I noticed that it was the tiniest bird I had ever seen. I tried to pick it up and it flew back into the family room. I quickly put Mogely outside because I knew she would  be able to catch her. 

As the bird landed on my couch , I gently reached out my hand and cupped it over her. She let me pick her up. She was so incredibly tiny. My mind began to think about so many things all at once. First, what are the chances of me walking into the kitchen and seeing this very tiny bird flying across the room at 5:30 in the morning? My cat was already in full “hunting” mode. I’m sure that Mogely would have hunted her down until she was victorious in capturing her prey. Then I thought how easy it was for me to catch her. Then I quickly identified with that little bird feeling so small and vulnerable as I reflected  back on my journey the past three years through death, recovery, and self discovery. I took her into my bedroom so that I could make sure she was OK and not injured. She escaped out of my hand 3 more times and I was able to catch her  again easily each time .

As I held her in my hand for the last time , I thought about how she was so easy to capture , but she continued to try to fly. I realized that this bird is a reflection of me. It is so easy for me to be “ captured” by life’s challenges , responsibilities, expectations, chores, pressures, and stress  and to be put into what I call “ my box” . Deep in my heart I want to “fly” and feel free to continue on with my self discovery. I yearn to follow my dreams , take deep breaths, listen for the “promptings” or my “ gut feelings” and embrace life.

It was so easy for this little bird to be captured. As she saw me reach out for her she just “bowed down” and let me pick her up and cover her with my hands . At first I thought that my purpose was obvious. It was to “ rescue “ or save the bird from certain death from my cat. Even for a split second I thought “ Where can I put her? Do I have a cage or a box?” Then almost instantly I saw myself in her and I knew I had to set her free . No one wants to be put in a box and often we even find that we’ve put ourselves into a box. 

I whispered “ Thank you little one” as I took her outside and opened my hand to set her free. She waited a few seconds and it felt as if she was looking straight at me. For that brief moment I seemed somehow connected to her and perhaps we both felt thankful to each other. Then she just gently flew away. 

I went back inside , sat down on my bed , and began to sip my coffee. Soon I began to hear the chirping of what sounded like a tiny bird. I’m not sure if it was from her , but it surely reminded me to not forget to really look and listen to the “ promptings”  that are all around us. I’ve been on this journey to notice the “ promptings” that are all around me, but today felt like I had done this in such a deeper way. I am so thankful for this little bird in the kitchen.