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She's at it again. A tiny wisp of a bird has been working tirelessly to build a nest for her soon-to-be offspring. We've allowed this intrusion into the top of our propane tank each year because this industrious mother will have it no other way. She will let nothing stop her from preparing a safe, comfortable home for her family.
We knew she was back when we noticed bits of leaves and twigs poking out of the top of the tank. There have been torrential rains, extreme winds and frigid temperatures since she began her annual home building. Yet she does not give up. We are amazed at her ability to thwart all the dangers and challenges as she labors.
Soon we will be treated to the sounds of her family as she feeds and nurtures them with her constant care and attention. And before we know it, she will nudge her offspring out of the nest and onto their own life journeys. I wonder if she experiences the emotion of every mother who must let go of her children as they reach adulthood and fly off to make their own way in the world.
I've known many women who mirror that little bird's life. They do everything in their power to raise their kids in a manner that will allow them to leave the nest and thrive on their own. This is accomplished through a lot of time and work invested in the lives of their children. It also comes with a bit of luck.
I don't know a mom among the many I have met who haven't made mistakes or wished they could redo portions of their parenting efforts. Let's face it, Dr. Spock couldn't possibly cover everything there is to know about raising kids in a book alone.
Kids really don't come with realistic instructions or online tutorials.
Motherhood brings its many trials and benefits with a mixture of tears and unfathomable joy, too.
Not everyone is cut out for the job. Our foster care programs are overwhelmed with proof of that.
A recent conversation with a woman who has had experience with fostering children sliced into the very core of my maternal being.
She related the sad state of parenting among drug-addicted mothers and fathers.
It's beyond hard for me to comprehend how someone can abandon a child to addiction.
However, I have not walked in those shoes to know the depths of their disease.
Still I think back to that tiny mother bird who lets nothing get in the way of caring for her family. I guess we can all learn a lesson from Mother Nature.
Happy Mother's Day to all.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.