Our Resident Wrens

We have Wrens who are residents of our backyard and the two houses we have up in the trees.  They first created a nest in the house located at the end of our deck, then when those baby birds "flew the nest" they moved over to the other birdhouse and built a new nest.  It has been fun to watch them on their journey.  We love listening to their songs too......they seem to be a happy couple!

We have laughed often as they chase away anyone and anything that gets near.  We once saw a squirrel running up and down and all around our big locust tree and then realized the wren couple were chasing him and he was trying to escape their wrath.  The same thing happened with a crow that came to visit with the hope of snatching an egg or two.  It was driven off by the parents as they fought to protect their offspring from a bird that was 20 times the size of themselves.  They are amazing little birds.

I could not help but think about our family that came for our 50th celebration.  We enjoyed having them here for 3 nights and 4 days....longer than most visits.   It was hard to have them go.  They are definitely grown and "left the nest" with our youngest being 32 years of age.  They have their own busy lives and we are always thankful when we get to spend time with them.  Our oldest son has said to me often, "You raised us to be independent, capable, people, going out into the world to make our own way............and now we have all done that.  And there is sadness for you in that too, because none of us live nearby. "  So true.  So very true.

Like those wrens that visit us every year, we, too, did what we could to protect our children.  We raised them in a  Christian home, fed them well, loved them deeply.  We made plenty of mistakes, but our children have turned out well in spite of and because of us.  They each walk their own journey.  We are very proud of our children and their families.  They are good people, and do life well.  Of course they have their ups and downs, their challenges and hardships, but they know to rely on God.  Their faith sees them through. 

And now they are seeing their own children grow up and leave the nest.  Watching them find their way, and stepping back to let them "fly away" into their own future.  Not an easy thing to do, but necessary.

And here we are, finding ourselves in the autumn season of our lives.  So grateful to be here to celebrate each new day, but pondering our future and God's plan for us.  Our grands are growing up, our children are well settled with some coming close to 50.  My goodness, when did that happen"!   How often our prayers are about them, for their protection, their success, their health.  With gratefulness of course.

I wish our Wren families well as they nest, raise and teach their little ones to leave the nest.  I wish our children well as they nest, raise and teach their own children to be adults who one day leave the nest.  It is an amazing journey filled with mostly joy and always God's presence.  Be proud of them.  We are.