The Baby Bird Can Fly

 I awoke this morning to the sound of Toots saying- mom, the baby bird can fly! 

This is the moment we'd been waiting for.

You see, mother bird built her nest before our very eyes.

Choosing a spot on the ledge of a window where the boys could perch on our stairs and watch her as if she were under a microscope. 

You could say they had a bird's eye view.

It's an art the way she formed a protective resting place for her eggs.

Here she is saying...

what are you looking at? 

And am I safe here?

Yes, yes, you are safe little mama bird.

Then, days later she presented our excited eyes with these beauties.

I loved hearing the voices...

Mom, mom, mom... the mama bird laid her eggs.

At first, every time we walked up or down the stairs, she fluttered away from the window, leaving the eggs she was busy warming with her heat.

Eventually, she grew accustomed to our movements, our noses pressed against the window and stopped fleeing each time we passed. 

The kids couldn't help but check the nest each day to see if the eggs had hatched. 

And then, one day...

there were two newborn robins and then

there were three. 

Fragile and simple in their new life. 

We wondered at how they had fit within the vibrant blue shells and how they'd possibly survive.

Toots fretted about them. 

Mama... do you think they'll live?

Yes, I do.

How do you know?

Because. Look at their mama. She is a good mother. She feeds them and protects them.

Oh. Like you mommy. 

And with that, my six year old gave me a moment I'll store away in my heart for always.

A week later, Jackie Boy came to me with the news that two were gone from the nest. 

It hadn't been long enough for them to be fledglings. Flight was not possible.

We searched for them on the ground.

We mourned the two, sadness dipping into our bellies like it does.

Suddenly, the one had doubled its size and the boys wondered if he'd eaten the other two. 

Feathers took the place of the pink newness.

Mama sat outside the nest, watching her baby grow. 

Last night the new robin hopped out of its nest and slept alone in a corner, mother not in sight.

And this morning the nest was empty and I heard—

Mama... the baby bird can fly!