The Lunchtime Bird (One of two new bird stories)

Today, when I returned to the Middle School from getting lunch, I walked upstairs toward my room to find that a bird had decided to come inside for a visit. One of my friends, Kim, was already ‘on it’, trying to figure out how to get the little bird, first of all, OFF of the bell which was prone to ring at any moment, and, second of all, outside. Being the mom of a cockatiel  for about 15 years, and foster mom to a parrot, and having a new fascination with birds (particularly cardinals) these past several months, I definitely wanted to be a part of the mission to help the little bird find his way to more appropriate surroundings……and hopefully before the end of lunch recess, when the hallways would fill with fifth and sixth graders!

At some point, a third teacher friend, Jennifer, joined in, and, equipped with a trash can and a tee-shirt from lost and found, the three of us attempted to either catch the bird and take him to freedom, or to coax him to seek and find freedom on his own. We weren’t sure, exactly HOW it would turn out! Our building is built with the hallways making a big square. The bird, indeed lead us all the way around the square, with the three of us in hot pursuit. As we came to the completion of the full square, the bird got to the doorway to my room, which was open, and he flew in. We closed the door so that he would be contained, and I removed the screens from my windows. After the three of us attempted to coax, scare, coerce, etc….this little bird toward the window to no avail, we decided to leave the little bird to calm down a bit, and to hopefully discover one of the two open windows on his own. I had about 10 minutes before kids would be coming for ‘speech’, so I turned off the light, and sat to quietly do some paperwork. As it inched closer to time for my kiddos to arrive, the bird remained in the corner, a mere few feet from my window. I again, began an attempt to coerce him to the window. Finally, the bird lit on some file folders that I have in a rack right beside one of the open windows. I held my breath, hoping the bird would feel the breeze from outside, and realize that the breeze meant ‘outside’, and that ‘outside’ meant ‘home’! He seemed to be oblivious, though. So I said, ‘Chad! Call him! Tell him which direction to fly!’ After only a few seconds (I promise you this is he complete truth!) the bird chirped a couple of times. I said to the bird, ‘Go

with Chad!’ The bird chirped again and turned toward the window, paused for a second (I think to let me soak it all in), and flew away.

I had a small cry, and went on with my day…but with the reassurance that Chad and I continue to share a connection. Now, I concede that this COULD very well have been one big coincidence! I choose, though, to believe that it was truly a ‘God thing’…an opportunity for Him to once again assure me that death, in Him at least, is nothing more than a different level of living.

Thanks for the help with the bird today, Chad!! Love you! And thank you, God, for another chance to spend some time with my son!

Mom