“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy it will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” Henri Nouwen
Yesterday morning two bluebirds surprised me. I glanced out our living room window in passing and stopped, arrested by the sight of two female bluebirds splashing around in our birdbath. Sitting on the edge of the sofa I stayed a good five minutes watching them flit back and forth from the ground to the birdbath, up to the trees then back to the birdbath. Diving in, splashing merrily about, enjoying themselves immensely.
I didn’t run grab my camera, instead I just sat there enjoying them enjoying themselves. A few minutes later they flew away leaving me surprised by their joy.
Faithful readers know bluebird sightings remind me of my precious mama. How she loved bluebirds, her favorite! Watching those two female bluebirds having such a grand time reminded me of special times shared with Mama before she passed. We didn’t flit in and out of birdbaths, but during the caregiving gig we did splash about singing hymns when I took her through “the Beauty Shop.”
Oh how I miss her! But I am grateful for precious memories, moments of shared joy.
Henri Nouwen’s quote struck a chord. Yesterday’s surprise seeing those bluebirds opened up a sad/glad place in my heart: sad missing mama, and glad remembering moments of joy with her. It’s a weird place navigating the space between sorrow and joy (bittersweet doesn’t quite describe it) but yesterday that place in my heart got big for a bit.
So glad I looked out the window!
grace, peace & surprises
Virginia
Roses in the Rubble 
Seeing the bluebirds you became nostalgic,your memory took you to the flashback and you had a different kind of good feeling as well as of bad feeling.Never mind ,forget the bad feeling and let the good feeling linger on and on .Love the photograph of the beautiful bird.Thanks a lot for sharing .Take care.🙏🌹
Thanks Francis – sometimes joy and sorrow meld in us a deeper appreciation for precious moments we shared with those who have gone on before us. Missing them hurts, but their love is part of us forever. Blessings & hugs to you! 💐✨🤗✨💐
Amen.My pleasure.🌹🙏
Love love love love! And now your joy has lifted me as well.
So glad joy is lifting you! We all need Joy as much as possible!! 💐✨💜✨💐
Hugs to you, Virginia, from Central Illinois. I know well that sad/glad feeling, so I empathize with you.
Hugs back at ‘cha, Debbie!! 💐✨🤗💐✨
Hello Virginia!
Big hellos back at you Arlene!! 💐🤗💐
an especially sweet post.
Thank you Michele… 💐🤗💐