Finding the Bluebirds

I grasp Annie's arm and stifle a giggle. We spot him at the exact same moment and two sets of binoculars pop up and lend us a nearly perfect view of the golden-crowned kinglet. She verbally describes the lores, the wings, the stripes on his crown. The description helps to confirm that what we're seeing is really the species we believe it is. We high-five and are eager to carry on down the path, but a tiny three year-old hand pulls on mine and I'm reminded we've been here quite awhile. I'm grateful she lasted this long.

We do the bird count as we meander back; "ruby-crowned, golden-crowned, horned lark, meadow lark..." It had been a successful hour of birding in our estimation. But, I wanted a bluebird, the sweet whistle-chirping beauty with the blazing cobalt feathers. Of course, I'd have to pick a dwindling species to be my favourite. Later that day I'd find him and even capture him with my camera--a little extra gift from God, I am certain. And while I am overjoyed in catching sight of new and returning flying creatures, I'm always on the lookout for my darling bluebirds.

Take Me Back

We found ourselves in the South without our oldest girl. She couldn't miss two weeks of school and was thrilled to stay with cousins and keep her regular routine. We hit the road with "our" three year-old spunky girl instead. Glorious, perfect weather everyday, bird-watching adventures, a great little zoo found unexpectedly by Oliver and me, visiting Hobby Lobby (we don't have those!), bonding as a family and attending a new church--just a bit of the good stuff on this blessed trip.

As we neared the final three hours of our 24 hour drive, my husband called out to his travel-worn family, "Okay, who wants to turn around now and do it all over again?" The kids answered that it was an amazing vacation but they were ready for home now. They'd begun to mentally prepare themselves along the way, imagining routine and things they love about Canada and home. We'd been gone for two weeks. 

But I simply blurted, "Take me back! I'll turn around right this instant!" Can you blame me?  :)

Saying Goodbye at the Edge of the World

We collected smooth, flat rocks from the beach at the edge of the world--or, at least, the edge of our country. We collected them because we brought crayons to write messages about Aunt Linda in memory of her. I received the phone call that morning that my sister-in-law had finally been taken home by God and I had no way of packing up camp quickly and driving three hours to comfort my husband and family right at that moment. Since three of my kids were with me, we decided to make a memorial right there at the tip of Canada by throwing the stones in the Lake and praying for comfort and peace for all of us who loved Linda. We knew she was made whole and healthy and full of inexpressible joy the second she entered heaven, but we were sad for those of us who were left behind to go on without her. 

We did pack up and leave a day early to be with our family but, the two days at Point Pelee on Lake Erie were memorable. We camped with my mom and step-dad, roasted marshmallows, desperately searched for any birds who were stragglers from the many flocks who'd recently migrated all over Canada after landing in that very spot only a couple weeks before. We'd postponed the trip twice and so we knew we were a little late. Nature wonders to behold everywhere anyway.

Gratitude:

1809. opportunity to travel

1810. how he still holds my hand as we walk

1811. how she trained my sisters and I to take our cameras wherever we go

1812. spotting this black-headed tern--new for me!

1813. turtles, turtles everywhere at the marsh--love them!

1814. this creepy little bird which I admire and dislike at the same time (barn swallow)

1815. for swamp sparrows

1816. the way that butterfly net amused him for hours

1817. how he'll jump into a selfie without a complaint

1818. how she must walk Mama and Papa's dog every time she sees her

1819. sleeping in the back of the truck with Molly for two nights--painful but adventurous!

1820. narrowly escaping the wrath of the red-wing blackbird (he attacked and slammed his body into my head three times before I knew what had hit me! defending his territory)

1821. loving the s'mores, avoiding the smoke

1822. how they can't wait till this time of the evening

1823. reminiscing about this one at a year and a half with sticky "washmellows" all over her

1824. how she always cooks the perfect toasty brown one for the adults before she makes her own

1825. finding a skink

1826. stretching without complaining on the very long walk

1827. how God has healed her! three years ago she had her accident and, although, still in pain, she walked all day with us on the trails

1828. how that magnifying glass opened his eyes to new things

1829. fascinated by everything

1830. how she pointed out countless things to me, then... dropped

1831. the way coming late to Pelee has its benefits... solitude... no crowds

1832. the song of the Common Yellowthroat (look it up and listen, if you get the chance)

1833. how resting still results in exploring

1834. the marsh boardwalk and how it seemed to go on forever

1835. how happy he was that he could put three new stickers in his bird book

1836. being 42 years old at the 42nd parallel :)

 

1837. knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will see my sister-in-law again

1838. tossing in our rocks and saying our earthly goodbyes at the edge of our little piece of the world