Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Leaving the Nest






Mr. Lime has built a bird feeder and a nesting box for our yard.  This Spring we had a house wren take advantage of the box.  We were excited when seven little eggs appeared.  And by little I mean about as big as my thumbnail.  Itty bitty.  Still, it was exciting to see.

 Eventually they hatched.  It looked like only three of them got that far but boy were they hungry.
They grew and started to get feathers.  I had hoped to get one last picture of them looking more developed before they flew out on their own but then next time I checked they were gone.

And so it goes...thinking you've got just a little more time.  Then suddenly the young ones are gone.  This week Diana moved to Georgia.  She's been on her own before but had been at home the last year saving up money to take the next step.  She's now over 800 miles from where we are and I have to admit that though I am happy for her I'm a little sad for me because Georgia ain't quite as accessible as when she was just a couple hours west of here.  When I was her age though I moved to an entirely different country so I guess I can't complain.  It's her time to fly now.

16 comments:

joeh said...

They're supposed to leave the nest, but so far?

stephen Hayes said...

Your baby birds are a great metaphor for children leaving the nest. It all happens too soon. Of course most of them, including ours, fly home when life gets rough.

Anvilcloud said...

Nice tie-in although both are also a little sad.

Anonymous said...

On the other hand, that's one less person sharing the bathroom, and unlike the birds, she'll be back now and then.

Craig said...

Nice metaphorical use of the baby birds. . .

We sympathize, of course. 4M, newly-minted degree in hand, has flown off to Seattle, which is distressingly far away (and a cool enough city to keep him wanting to be there for a good long while).

On the other hand, we've got two daughters with sons of their own (and no husbands), living back with us again.

We look forward to the empty nest, and the sense of accomplishment for having successfully 'launched' our whole brood. And for the absence of the drama that comes with teens and twenty-somethings.

But, you know, it doesn't have to happen tomorrow. And 2000 miles does seem a bit much. . .

Leave It To Davis said...

Love the way you lead into that....very writeresque(that's a new word I just made up.). Good to see you still hanging in here!!

Kat said...

Aww.
Now you're making me cry. I'm feeling all melancholy anyway and then I read this.
Man.
Life goes so quickly.
It is just as it should be and yet that doesn't make it any easier, does it?
Beautiful post.

Commander Zaius said...

Yeah, my son Evan heads to Clemson next weekend. Still haven't come to grips with him heading off to the college.

Secret Agent Woman said...

Do you know what sort of birds?

I have a week until my own nest is empty. :(

lime said...

thanks, everyone. such a weird feeling.

secret agent woman, we believe they were house wrens.

Bijoux said...

Georgia? I hope you are planning a winter trip!

Jocelyn said...

Oh, that got my heart: that image of three cheeping baby birds followed by one of your three emptying your nest. My, my. How did that happen? They were all YOUNGER-ish when I first "met" you. Strangely, from this distance, I feel your melancholy.

Why is Calypso moving to Georgia? I feel like I missed that somewhere along the way...

Stephanie Faris said...

Great analogy! I think many parents are going through that empty nest feeling right now.

Suldog said...

That's the way it goes. Momma bird does her best to raise a good little birdie. The little birdie flies away. But, knowing the momma bird as I do, I have no doubt the little birdie is marvelously capable and will make you even prouder than you are now.

Hilary said...

Oh I know the feeling so well and I empathize. Just keep in mind that it was your job to raise an independent adult who is capable of making decisions and taking flight in order to fulfill her dreams. It seems to me that you and Mr. Lime did an excellent job of growing an adult. And she'll come home from time to time. It will never feel like enough time.. but it will feel great. Hugs to you.

Unknown said...

I'm feeling all melancholy anyway and then I read this.


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