Blessings of the Birds

 I've been spending a not insignificant amount of time trying to breathe deeply while watching the birds at the deck bird feeder.

One might think our feathered friends would be taking refuge in their tree hidey holes during this obscenely cold weather Minnesota is experiencing, but no.  In fact, they have been emptying the feeder almost daily.  According to ChatGPT, this is why:

• They burn more energy. Birds have to keep their body temperature high, and cold air + wind drains heat fast.
• Shorter days = fewer feeding hours. So they pack in calories whenever they can.
• Food is harder to find. Insects disappear, plants go dormant, snow covers seeds—so when food is available, they don’t waste the chance.

Regardless, moments spent viewing the birds visit the feeder are proving to be a source of soul soothing.

I loved this from Kate Bowler's Everything Happens that landed in my email inbox today.

January has been…long. Not just cold and busy and noisy (which, yes, definitely all of those), but morally exhausting. And heavy enough to make it feel like the year should already be halfway over. Like you, I’m angry, sad, and worn thin by all the things I can’t fix. So this month, instead of rounding up everything I read or watched, I’ve been paying attention to something else.  

Bowler then cites Bryan Stephenson, an American lawyer, social justice advocate and author of Just Mercy (if you're not a reader, the book was made into a film starring Michael B. Jordan) who talks about becoming  becoming stonecatchers, people willing to absorb the blows that would otherwise land on the most vulnerable.  

This really resonated with me as I believe stonecatcher perfectly describes the thousands and thousands of Minnesotans who in their many distinct ways are absorbing the blows that would otherwise land on their neighbors who are the most vulnerable.  In my opinion, the administration grossly underestimated the people who live in the Great North.  Minnesota Nice is not simply a catchline.  It drives our behavior.  It is no surprise that Alex Pretti was attempting to help a woman when ICE tackled and murdered here.  I see that behavior ALL.  THE.  TIME.  My Facebook page is filled with inquiries from those seeking ways to help.  What else can we do? they ask repeatedly.  Stonecatchers all.

She also quoted Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries: “The only non-delusional response to everything is kindness.”  I could go on for paragraphs with examples of non-delusional responses from stonecatchers that I am personally familiar with and a few I myself have engaged in.  They are everywhere.  All those human interest stories perhaps you're seeing on the news?  They are literally only the tip of the iceberg.  

Among my friends and acquaintances that I talk with, two descriptors continue to be spoken repeatedly.  When asked how someone is doing, they say they are heartbroken.  And they also feel like living here is traumatic.  

Last week, my acupuncturist reminded me to be kind and gentle with myself.  I feel bereft that I am not doing enough, although there is a great Substack piece, an Open Letter to old white women in MN that is soothing.  As ridiculous as this might sound, I am feeling guilty about leaving for Florida tomorrow.  I wonder if days spent near the water will diminish the feelings of trauma.  I've contacted the closest Indivisible group and will march in a local No Kings rally in March while we're there. When we come home in May, I will work tirelessly to defeat my Congressman Tom Emmer at the polls this November, as well as working as an election judge.

It does feel as if perhaps the proverbial tide is beginning to turn here, and then does ICE move on?  I've already heard people in Maine describing similar experiences as we have been living here in Minnesota.  Black and brown children not coming to school.  Black and brown employees afraid to go to work, the result being restaurants closing or reducing hours.  And the beat goes on...

The question Kate Bowler asked at the beginning of her piece was What does it look like to maintain hope and kindness in a world that keeps daring us not to?

And for me, over the past month, the strength to maintain hope and kindness has been coming from the blessings of the birds.

Stay strong.  

Sparrows, house finches and goldfinches

Downy woodpecker

Red bellied woodpecker

A visit from a cardinal.  The female cardinal also visits.  Seeing a cardinal can be interpreted as a sign from loved ones who have passed away.  I always think it's my parents checking in to see how I'm doing and remind me I am loved.

Say farewell to today and remember there is tomorrow.  Or, as Ann Lamott says, your morning prayer is "Whatever" and your evening prayer, "Oh, well."