Last week my grandson and I noticed a bird’s nest in a tree just next to their backyard deck. Upon closer inspection, we could see the head of a bird at the top of the nest. Then, to our delight, a large Robin swooped down to the nest, and 3 babies stretched up their large yellow beaks in anticipation of a food delivery. They weren’t disappointed, and neither were we. The whole family eventually joined in our vigil as we speculated as to when those babies would take wing. The next day, the nest was empty. Vacated.
My grand kids also grow so fast. Time just keeps on ticking. Decades can fly by almost unnoticed. The reality of mortality is usually sobering to me, especially now that I’m on the ‘short end of the stick’. I wrote this poem for Bob just after we were married, and 30 seemed old!
A fledgling little bird uneasily flaps his wings.
A newborn baby bunny is clumsy when he springs.
But time with all Her patience
Cures all their newborn ills,
Yet still the creatures learn to grow
By stumbling and spills.
And so it is with you, my dear,
You work and play from year to year.
And isn’t it so nice to know
You have eternity to grow?
And with each birthday you can look
And see the road and climbs you took.
The older that you grow to be,
The easier the top to see!
