One of our opportunities as UUCA Board of Trustee members is to take turns writing this little “blog” – the thinking being that the blog gives you an opportunity to know us a little better. Just as I was pondering my topic this week my phone rang. It was my husband John on his cell phone, enthusiastically inviting me to join him on the property across the street. “You’ve got to see this nesting hawk and chicks!”
As I approached the area near the hawk’s 45-foot tree, two neighbors had already set up their camera tripods and were busy shooting away. Their telephoto lenses captured the three (or was it four?) bobbing heads of the chicks as they energetically vied for each morsel from their parent’s beak. We were all surprisingly mesmerized, though this was simply a predictable and ubiquitous act of natural parenting.
For each of us, at that moment, there was only this tree, this particular hawk family, this particular feeding of the chicks – this little ‘miracle’ happening on a beautiful spring day. How rare and wonderful to step out of our own worries and concerns – for our planet, for our world, for our country – and share this small but significant moment together: to appreciate and marvel at this simple act of nature. Such a reminder to stay open to these happenings as we move through our days.
Let’s all leave a little space in our souls each day for something surprising – let’s be ready to “stand in awe” of the simple moments of beauty in the everyday world around us.
Diane Martin, Board of Trustees