Early this morning I glanced out of the window and saw a robin sitting on the tree branch. It promptly flew away, but left me wondering why it was showing up in the middle of winter. It turns out that robins can be seen year round throughout all of the lower forty eight states; however, they tend to go where they can find a plentiful supply of fruits. I suspect that the robin I saw was merely passing through and may have been attracted by the fresh water I provide each morning in the bird bath.
Today we are having sustained winds of close to 40 MPH and gusts of over 65 MPH. A small group of sparrows gathered in the tree branches, but they struggled to maintain their grip and quickly dispersed. The bird feeders are swinging wildly in the gales and the birds have retreated to a place safe from the relentless tossing and battering. The squirrels, too, remain hunkered down in their nests and tree cavities to await a calmer hour. My chickens huddle under the protection of the porch steps, in the northwest corner that holds the warmth of the morning sun. I remain within the safety of these four walls, as well. The walls are thin and uninsulated. Even the double paned windows cannot prevent the drafts from finding their way in; and they do little to subdue the howling of the wind, or the crash of branches sacrificed by the trees, that fall with a great bang upon the roof.
The wind is unnerving. It gets on my nerves and makes me grumpy. I long for the long, soaking rains of Virginia. I long for green, for trees, and the smell of decaying leaves. I am in awe at the few trees that have stood the test of time in this near-desert. Their ability to bend and to withstand the wind’s relentless huffing and puffing is truly inspiring. I know that resisting what is, will only cause my own suffering. I will look at the trees, behold them as a mentor to remind me that I too, must bend. It is only when I remain soft and malleable that my inner strength will provide stability. Resistance does not make us resilient. Resistance impedes our balance. In not resisting, my roots can plunge deeper, my branches spread wider and further. When I cease to resist what is, I have the strength to endure whatever these uncertain times may bring.
