Wonder-ful

Remember when, as teenagers, we vowed that we would NEVER be like our parents? If you're anything like me, the older you get, the more you realize that the apple rarely falls too far from the tree.  Our parents leave an indelible mark and our behaviors often begin to echo theirs.

Of course, as an adult, I appreciate many of the gifts my parents have bequeathed to me --- my dad's writing ability and intensity, my mother's loony sense of humor and deep love of family. But the recognition and appreciation of these gifts came slowly. 

I had to chuckle when I realized, several years ago, that I had adopted one of my mother's favorite pastimes, birdwatching. During my (much) younger days, I used to inwardly roll my eyes when my mother would point out various birds at her feeders --- nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, tufted titmice.  Birds??!!!??  Who had time to watch birds?  And who wanted to?  How boring!  But now I love to watch the variety of small birds swoop down to the feeder, and I delight in the few months each year when the American goldfinches and the hummingbirds take up residence.

What changed?  For me, I think it was a gradual understanding of the interconnectedness of all life, the fact that we are not separate from each other after all.  As I aged, my focus expanded, and I began to appreciate all the natural wonders around me, and to feel profound gratitude for the miracle of all life.  Every living thing has an important part to play in this organism we call the Universe; it's pretty magical, and oh so beautiful, when you think about it. 

I'm not sure if my mother considered all this when she happily announced a particular bird's arrival.  But I'm pretty sure that the joy she expressed could have been translated as, "Isn't the world just AMAZING, Christine?"  Yes, it is, Mommy.  Yes, it is.