Sunday
Aug152010
Look Up
August 15, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Marcie 
One big bird..in one big tree..with her five little baby ones peeking out from under.
A fierce mama warrior.
A brave and powerful one.
A one whose purpose at that particular moment was nothing other than to protect her brood. A mother hen and her poults.
Altho they were all safely tucked beneath her feather skirt..their curiosity got the better of them. First one..then another..until all five of them were seen looking down over the precipitous edge. Timid at first…sweet…curious..and terrified of what lurked beneath. They clung to the safety security and warmth of their feathered nest.
So basic. So simple. So easy.
We give life to our babies. We nourish and protect. We teach them right from wrong and how to defend themselves from potential predators. We harbor great hopes and big dreams. And we love them. More than anything else – we do that. And then – as their chubby little legs grow into long strong adult ones – we watch..as they walk away. Into their own lives. As they should.
It’s all a part of some big master plan. A story about life’s cycles and nature’s ability to renew and restore. To reproduce more of the same and of our own. To ensure the longevity and continuation of the species. To pass from one generation to another. A promise that one small part of us will continue on and forever after. The questions and answers were all sitting up there precariously perched in a one big tree.
Altho it is the male who spreads his seed..it’s the female who carries life forwards. Mothers are mothers are mothers. Everywhere. They cross all geographic lines..and all species. They will do anything and everything to save their children..to ensure that the life they have brought into this world succeeds them. They’ll attack at the slightest provocation. They’ll fight for the right of their offspring to be free. They’ll risk life and limb and valuable feathers for those that they’ve brought into this world. Those that they love. Those that come thru them.
In the kingdom of birds – letting go – is all a part of the process. There is no adolescent struggle and rebellion. There is no tug-of-war..no fight for autonomy and independence. When these babies are able to feed themselves and fly..they will be set free. It’s what’s expected. This mother’s job is complete. There will be a new brood in the next year..for which she will rise and do again.
As I looked up.. as they looked down at me – I couldn’t help but think of my own three. How I - once – was their center. How – they too…like the birds in the tree – preferred the softness of their mother’s warm nest to the excitement of the world beyond. And how they were once mine to feed..to nurture..to protect..to teach…and always - to love. I was a fierce mama warrior. A brave and powerful one. I was.
With some relief – I can say that that part of my job is now almost done. We’ve survived the push/pull of tumultuous adolescence. I waved the white flag. I surrendered. In the end..and as they should – they were victorious. They won the fight…we all won the war. They’ve grown their own wings and long strong legs. No longer am I needed in the way I once was. They’ve stepped themselves out into the world. For me – there’ll be no second brood or a chance to ‘do over’. As much as I’d like to take the lessons I’ve learned and apply them..I’m glad that that opportunity won’t knock on this door again.
Over and over I’m reminded that they are not ours to own. They come thru us. We hold them and hug them and love them. And then – like all other species..and is nature’s way – we must let them go.
Look up.
My babies are flying strong and free.
Look up.
They are grown..but they are not gone.
Look up.
They are circling round and round now in their own lives..happy..strong..free.
Look up.
Reader Comments (17)
oh Marcie you make me regret not having kids, but my mother's horror stories of childbirth cinched that decision for me as a very young girl... i will have to celebrate with the mothers around me
I thought of you and the bumper sticker I love, Marcie, that says "If I had known being a grandparent would be this fun, I would have done it first!" THAT will be your next stage, different but not unlike this one you've described so incredibly well here. Many of your instincts will be the same then because they, too, will have come through you.
It's quite amazing...the cycles of mothering! I remember how I "mothered" sister Ruth when she was born, 11 years after me. It was a "fierce" love, as though she were mine (which I'm sure greatly relieved my own mom who at that point had 8 kids to care for). Then my grandson, who is now 10. All my mothering instincts, long tucked away, suddenly rose to the surface again.
You are so right: "Mothers are mothers are mothers. Everywhere." And maybe all the time, from their own birth to death? (Is it a gene?)
Hey Marcie....you know how much I love every "vision" of yours that I get to see...and now here you are amazing me with your "verb"!
just wonderful.
What a beautiful reflection on such a gorgeous picture replete with surprises at many different levels. Well written as well with lots to think about. The journey continues....for all us moms. Thanks.
Such a beautiful description of motherhood, Marcie. And I love your image!! Too cute! I agree with Ginnie, your next stage is being a grandma. Now that will be fun, but not entirely free of heartache and the need for mamma warrior.
So wonderfully powerful and true...all the wonder and joy and doubts and promise...
We do our best with them, we set them free. And they start the cycle all over again. Love the way you captured this, in the photo and the words. Not with sadness but with hope, discovery, strength.
Yes, we let them go. But I think they still need us. The need undergoes change and is of a different nature, but the need is still there.
Your image -- where in the world did you come upon a turkey and her babies in a tree?!?!? Awesome!
Beautifully written. I resonate with every word.
Letting go of my one and only was difficult, more difficult than I expected. I worked at it all summer before he went to college, and by the time he left, I was ready to be excited for him. I was ready to let go and know that I would provide love and support and a safety net as needed.
The hardest part now is listening to his problems and not trying to solve them, feeling his pain without rescuing. Being a listening presence is working well for us, but it takes a lot of emotional work. Of course, I also get to rejoice in his triumphs and marvel at his discoveries.
Thank you!
i hated my rebelliousness as much as my mother did.
i love your photo, marcie, and your persinal ruminations on the meaning of life and creation.
great story :)
Yes, I know how this story goes. My two sons are now 18 and almost 17. The elder so keen to stretch his wings all by himself, the younger still content to flutter back and forth from the nest with spurts of independence.
My instinct to nurture and protect has not changed though and I have to be careful to what extent I intervene when they should be learning their own lessons. It's a fine line this love and life.
Beautifully written, I adore that picture. Hats off!
Vision and verb just go together beautifully!
Marcie,
I want to go with you on a photo shoot! You take such great pictures.
nicely done - words & photo
I have never in my life seen a turkey with its babies, but I sure do understand the message in your post.
The letting go can be so difficult for me that it invades my sleep and dreams at times in funny ways. I'm writing about one dream I had two nights ago on the evening of the 16th ... I wonder now after rereading your post if reading it the first time had anything to do with my dream.
Wonderful post and amazing photo capture!
I'm sure you were a wonderful mama! What beautiful words on motherhood. I love how you write about it, so personal and so powerful.
Wonderful words on motherhood and such a great image.