Little Moments

Little moments.  Life is full of them.  Most of them get forgotten in the minutes or hours after they occur.  They're insignificant to us.  The big moments - children, marriage, loss, love...they stay with you for much longer, even a lifetime.  But do you ever wonder how many times you miss a moment?  Just a few seconds that could change your life.  Not the "in the wrong place at the wrong time" moments, but those little things that happen around you that you may be too busy to notice?

I was lucky enough to catch one of those moments today.  Two seconds.  A laughter through tears moment.  A moment that was timed for me to see by someone larger than myself.  A fraction of a minute that grounded me, reminding me how amazing life actually is.  Have I built it up enough?  

Over the last week or so, I've told you about the little ones that are living in the nest on the downspout.  Checking on them has become my daily routine.  I watched Mamma bird feed them, listened to them chirp and stood amazed, watching how fast they were growing.  Last night, I watched them standing on the nest and knew I would be lucky to find them there this morning.  And just as we thought, when I checked on them this morning, the eldest had left the nest.  Ironic, isn't it?

But the littlest one, he was still there.  Standing on the nest, looking as though he was contemplating the big jump.  And there he stood - for hours.  I checked on him frequently, knowing that at any time, he would be gone.  

Then it happened.  All in a few seconds I just happened to witness.  Mamma bird flew into the nest, gave a pep talk and flew out to a nearby tree.  And just like that, he took off after her.  His first flight.  He was a little hesitant at first, nearing the ground.  But then he found his wings and took flight.  It was one of the most moving things I've ever witnessed.  Mamma found him immediately and spent most of the day in the trees with the two of them, flying from branch to branch, tree to tree.  

Two seconds.  I've reflected on them all day and am capturing them here so that they stay with us for a lifetime.  It's not often that you get to see life at its most basic level.  A mom, teaching her little ones how to fly.  Sending them out on their own, ready to start a new journey.  I'm positive that robin found her way here when she did to remind me that's how life works.  You shield them, protect them from the rain until they are old enough to jump on their own.