a little bird once told me...

Every spring a mommy bird comes to our backyard and builds a nest on a small ledge high on the patio.
She works hard.
Back and forth she flys bringing a twig, string, feather or whatever else she feels will make a comfortable home for her soon to arrive little one.
It's an interesting process to watch.
I've seen her move one twig multiple times until she finally lets it be.
No wondering they call the final weeks of a pregnancy "nesting".

Once the baby's crib is finished to her satisfaction, the mommy-to-be will settle down and wait.

Soon the baby bird makes his appearence. 

After lots of attention and care the mommy will leave the baby to find nourishment.

Her first instinct...feed my baby.

It always surprises me that once the feeding begins it is not much longer until the mommy coaxes her baby from the safety of the nest.  She leads by example and soon her baby follows her to the edge and then she teaches her little one to spread his wings.

And then the once carefully constructed nest is empty.

I enjoy watching the process every spring.

I feel the mother in me relates to the mommy bird in many ways.

Build a home that is safe and comfortable.

Feed my babies - physically, mentally, spiritually.

Bring them to the edge, give them three squeezes of the hand and then watch them fly.

The process happens so quickly.

It stings my heart.