Thanksgiving, 2014
Here is a short piece I wanted to share about an event that happened to me this November. Enjoy reading about it over the Thanksgiving holiday! I hope you will agree that in a year which has seen so much unsettling news, it's reassuring to remember that God still pays attention to the details. The little things. Especially if we're paying attention too. And He often makes it His business to show up on a street where you or I live...
Whooo's the New Neighbor?
Lately, right before dusk, my ears have been tuning in to the unmistakable vocal auditions of our newest neighborhood resident – a great horned owl. Each evening when I step outside, the bird’s resonant baritone makes a surround sound impression on me. “Who-who-who are you?” come the questioning cries of this nocturnal newcomer. I really want to meet this mysterious mottled brown crooner, just to come face to face with those big brown eyes, and yes, tell him I’m glad he’s here. So I wait in hope as the full moon rises in an autumn sky over Central Florida.
Added to this new anticipation is our silly and sanguine Corgi, Daisy, who accompanies me around the block at dusk in search of her own new buddies. Soon, we come to a nearby tree-lined street where half a dozen oaks extend welcoming branches to the owl, who seems to have readily settled into his new residence there. Usually, I hear the camouflaged raptor when Daisy and I walk, but my eyes have not yet come up close to the elusive bird. So I keep listening and looking, praying and longing.
Until yesterday.
It was 5:30 p.m. when my steering wheel made a quick turn onto our street. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something different right out there in the open in Chris and Lisa’s front yard. Could it be Mr. Owl? I wasted no time quietly putting the car in park. I checked again, excitedly looking out to confirm that there truly was something in that yard on the grass, sitting all alone. My heart began to pound.
Now let me just say that cars with darkly tinted windows can be a problem at certain times of the day, especially in instances like this. I only hoped that in letting down the grey window, the scene I so wanted to observe would not come to a quick and unhappy end.
It didn't.
There, right in front of a residential yard, was Mr. Owl. At first his head was turned to the side as he busily inspected something highly important in the grass. I fixated on him from the car, wide eyed, like him. I decided to grab my phone. Could I possibly hope to capture a picture?
Snap. Snap. Wow! Two pictures.
Suddenly, my new friend realized he was being studied. Our eyes met - maybe for seven long seconds.
Snap. One more picture, face-to-face. Then it was time for Mr. Owl to fly away and grab some dinner. I watched as wings whirled overhead and that giant gaze bid me goodnight.
A miracle had just occurred and didn't I know it!
Oh, what a night.
~~~
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.” Psalm 34:15
