For the Birds

"Bob-bob white!"  I remember sitting down on 'the farm' as we call it, in a porch swing with my PaPaw looking out over the land and listening to the birds.  The most peaceful time in my life I believe were those moments I spent with him, saying nothing, listening to the sounds of nature. 

    

The thing I can remember most about my PaPaw is he was always outside.  He was always doing SOMETHING.  Whether it was tending to the yard, watering MaMaw's flowers, tinkering away in his office down in that old storage shed, or sitting at the picnic table in the shade drinking iced tea and listening to the birds, you could bet if you wanted to find PaPaw.. he would be outside.  I can probably say I got my love of nature from him.  I remember wanting to run and hide away in the woods and just listen and watch.  Since I never did, I found a tree where I would sit and write or draw to my heart's content.  At some point I had lost that little free-spirited girl and in turn I lost my way in life. I've been seeking her out for a while now and I can feel her coming back alive in my heart every time my kids and I talk about and explore nature together.  I cannot tell you how proud it made me when my son asked to keep a nature journal, and his love of animals is beyond amazing.  

Tomorrow, I am volunteering at the kids' school for an activity called 'Bird Feeder Watch'.  I haven't been fully trained on it yet, but I am ecstatic to have this opportunity.  There is nothing greater than seeing the sparkle in a the eyes of children as they take in the wonders of nature.  We will be counting and identifying birds in the school courtyard, which by the way is spectacular!  I do believe this is one of the most incredible opportunities I have ever had to work with these children and help to instill a love of nature and it's beauty within their little hearts.  I can only hope that they will find it as awe inspiring and rewarding as I know I will.  Until next time!!