I have been living at the same address now for over twenty years now. That is a record for me. The longest time spent at one address in my life. It seemed odd after a few years at my present address not to be moving on. Once I became used to the idea of living in one place, it became comfortable, and even normal, not moving after a few years.
One of the first visitors my back yard had was a Robin, which according to natures way became a pair of Robins. They only stayed in my back yard for the month of April which was the first month they flew up from warmer climes where they had wintered. The Robins would scratch about the few areas of mulch material that was left by blowing winds looking for insects for dinner.
After April was over they would move to greener pastures so to speak, I imagine where there were opportunities for real food, rather than the meager existence provided by my back yard. I used to let my cats outside in those days. In their third year, one of the cats killed one of the Robins. There were a second pair by then, offspring I am sure, but the old Robin remained stoically alone until its natural death. Or at least I imagine it was natural, it left end of summer, and never returned.
These days a descendant pair of Robins, many generations later think the bird bath is their property, which they allow other birds to use, but is their bath by virtue of being there first. Over the years, I have lost track of how many pairs of Robins have lived and died in my back yard, but I am guessing this must be the sixth or seventh generation of Robins who claim my back yard as theirs.
They also stay through most of the summer now, scratching and looking for a juicy meal. I know it is not their prime hunting territory for food, but it has become as much a part of their life, as seeing them in the back yard has become mine.
Watching them become agitated when a Dove comes to drink from their bird bath the other day reminded me of the way the Robins and I view our lives. I see the Robins, daily for a few seconds at a time. The Robins on the other hand, have an intimate knowledge of the ebb and flow of life in my back yard. They know when certain insects come out of the ground, and when other insects leave. All I see is them is scratching, and I watch the progress of their lives from first year birds to matriarchs of their Robin clan.
I drew an interesting contrast between the life of Robin’s and my own, and how it applies us all and our own lives. Some of us, who are Shepherds our lives pay attention to what is happening both to ourselves and those around us. We notice most subtle ebbs and tides of life around us, as the Robin’s notice the changes of time and season.
Others among us live pretty much the same as they did yesterday. Tomorrow will be pretty much the same as today. They go about their day out of touch with their lives, and the world around them. They are live their lives ignoring the idea that each day of their life is dynamic and special.
I hope to live my life more like the Robin’s who claim my back yard as their own. Trying to live and appreciate the uniqueness of each day. At my end, I may not be able to recall each and every day, or perhaps even remember my days and nights at all. I will be content knowing that up until that moment I tried to live each day appreciating the subtle changes as the season of life ran its course. How sad it would be to look back on life thinking, I am happy it is almost over. Believing my life was one long day never punctuated with anything special. That must be be a sad finish to ones life.
