That’s What I GET!
TODAY’S LAUGH: Okay, I know what you’re going to say: “Mary, that’s what you get for leaving your Christmas decorations up until May!” Yes, I confess. The evergreen 
wreath I set on the planter outside the front door last November is still there.
But that’s only because when I went to haul the wreath off to the woods, I noticed a bird’s nest on top of it. The next day when I went to haul it off into the woods, there was a blue egg in the nest. And the next day another egg. And the next day another, and then another–four eggs in all and a mother robin keeping them warm.
Now this nest is right next to our front door, so naturally we can’t use that door, lest we disturb the nervous mother bird.
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: How we humans accommodate this little bird! We go in and out the far less convenient back door. We posted a “Do Not Disturb” sign in the driveway, directing all visitors away from the nest. Inside the house, we walk softly through the front entry, lest a heavy tread startle her.
And several times a day I peek out from the window in the front door and I feel like that mother bird looks right back into my eyes, as if pleading, Please don’t disturb us. I offer her my silent promise. We’ll do our best. I’m a mother, too.
We have a ringside seat to a miracle. We wait with hushed expectancy, wondering things we’ve never wondered before. How long does robin egg incubation take? Why do they only lay one egg a day? And where’s the father bird in all of this?
We feel a sense of responsibility to protect and care for this rare and amazing gift. We feel privileged. We feel blessed.
And yes, that IS what I get for leaving my Christmas decorations up until May. And next year, I might just do it again.
Amazing gifts and wonder-filled opportunities are all around. Open your eyes and your heart. May you be blessed in surprising and delightful ways this week!
P.S. I’ll post pictures of the babies when they hatch!
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MY BEST BIRTHDAY EVER GIVEAWAY CONTINUES: My BEST BIRTHDAY EVER is coming up and as a THANK YOU GIFT TO YOU, I’m giving away SIX books to SIX winners–your choice of When Did I Stop Being Barbie & Become Mrs. Potato Head?; Confessions of a Prayer Wimp; or When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister?
To enter the drawing, “CONTACT MARY” with “MY BEST BIRTHDAY” in the subject line, SHARE A STORY of YOUR best birthday and you’ll be eligible. (Was it your 20th, or your 35th, or maybe your 75th?) I’ll post your stories in the comment section of the Today’s Laugh blog.
This giveaway runs from May 12, 2009 to May 23, 2009. ONE ENTRY per verified email address and US mailing addresses only. I’ll draw the SIX winners on my birthday, May 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. CDT.
Let me get this right. You are watching these eggs because you KNOW one day you will see BABY ROBINS. Yes, there is life before hatching. Thanks Mary. It is all so clear. Enjoy your day and protect those babies. :)) Sheila
MP)
(And thank YOU for the reminder!
Comment by Sheila — May 19, 2009 @ 8:20 am
Jana remembers: “My best birthday is my memory of turning 8 years old. My Dad, (Rod Larson’s brother) can build anything and made me a hutch where I could keep my play dishes. It was so big they had to wrap it with a bed sheet. It was the hugest present I had ever seen. I was very overwhelmed and excited. My parents took a great picture of my expression…it says it all.
Thanks for allowing us to share!!”
MP)
(What fun it is to hear the stories. Thank YOU for sharing!
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 19, 2009 @ 9:58 am
And Charlotte says, “My best birthday was my last one. I turned 50. My husband had a surprise party for me. As I stood before the guests it was amazing to see all of the different parts of my life in one place. I teach school, many of them were there, I work at H&R Block and Swiss Colony.. they were there… My church friends, my family… it was amazing. I was very touched that I was loved that much.”
MP)
(You are blessed indeed!
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 19, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Sheila’s best: “My best birthday was this year when I turned the big 70th. I went to my daughter’s house for Christmas in New London, WI. She took me to see lights on one evening before Christmas. Then my birthday was December 26th so she made an appointment for a massage–an hour long and I was in heaven. Then we went to lunch. For my presents she put together memories of the past. A picture of James Dean the movie star and Dorothy in Wizard of Oz. White gloves from the past.
MP)
Old pictures of Wendell’s Baby Pure Laundry Soap. Old stick match holder. All different era things in my life. Then she gave me hand cream and booties to wear for comfort from Bath & Body shop. It was the very best birthday I’ve had. It took a lot planning on her part to put together. It was wonderful!”
(What a sweet daughter!
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 19, 2009 @ 10:03 am
From Bob in Tulsa: “Now Mary, that’s a no brainer. My Best Birthday is, of course, MY NEXT BIRTHDAY! I’ll be 87 and still alive to enjoy all my friends on God’s earth.”
MP)
(AMEN, Brother Bob!
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 19, 2009 @ 10:05 am
From Sharon: “My best birthday was my 32nd. When we got married I was 16 and he was 19, so money was tight. We had just the basics: fees, a license and fuel to get to the courthouse. On my birthday that year, I came in from work to find a comfortable chair I’d been admiring.
MP)
My husband isn’t one for buying gifts, but when he does they are practical ones. As I sat in it my daughter brought me a box. I opened it to find a new toaster! I was happy about this, as mine had just died. Inside the toaster, however, was a ring box with a ring, just for me. It has small diamonds and “LOVE” stamped into it. My poor husband wasn’t sure if I was happy or disappointed! It’s not the fanciest nor the most expensive ring money can buy. But it was chosen just for me, with love. And that’s all that really matters.”
(No doubt about it- you are loved!
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 19, 2009 @ 10:09 am
Again, I’m going to be the oddball and comment on your *story*.
Boy, am I glad to hear I’m not the only one that still has Christmas decorations up! Butterfly ornaments are still up on my curtains, but with real butterflies flying around out there…, these can now be put away! I’m waffling about the snowmen, though. With today being so *hot*, it’s refreshing to just *look* at them!!!
You are truly blessed to have robins nesting where you can see them!
I’m hoping it’s not too late to hang our petunias out on the front porch. In years past, we’ve had purple finch families raised in these baskets. We, too, limit our use of the front door, but I do take them down and carefully water the plants. At first the babies think I’m mom or dad, but they soon come to realize I’m just the gardener!
Comment by Leza — May 19, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
Sharon shares about “the birds”: “For several years we had a wreath made of twigs from Oregon and Washington. The birds loved it and over several years we welcomed several bird families.
MP)
It always amazed us how perfectly made those nests were–all perfectly smooth inside. And, it was interesting the materials the birds used. We have a small pond behind our townhome. We’ve had geese the past several years and one of the geese families just marched by my window as I work at the computer. We also have ducks. One morning I counted 65 ducks on our little pond. I went to the computer and wrote an essay which our newspaper printed. As you said, there are “amazing gifts and wonder-filled opportunities all around us.”
(Indeed! Thanks for sharing yours
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 21, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Debbie’s best birthday: “Who would have guessed that my 50th birthday would be my best ever! I was born at 4:13 pm, so I didn’t really want to celebrate the big 5-0 until after 4:13 pm. My family thought differently! We started the day with a huge breakfast, then I got to primp and polish for hours. No housework for me - it felt weird. Then we went to Culver’s for custard. Yum!
MP)
A welcome nap came after that. More primping and polishing and off to Flemming’s for steak with my dear husband and friends. We spent a good portion of the grocery budget, but it was definitely worth the cost! After dinner we went out to the movies. I was expecting a surprise party! The kind with “over the hill” banners and black balloons. I got so much more. What an awesome day. A great husband, sweet kids, Culver’s, awesome friends, a great expensive meal and a movie. Turning 50 wasn’t so bad!!
(No housework, Culver’s AND steak? THAT is a GREAT DAY!
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 21, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Jodie’s touching story: ” I want to tell you about my most special b-day. It was yesterday and it wasn’t mine–it was my Dad’s. Nine months ago he was given six months to live when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. As his b-day approached I asked him what he would like for his b-day. I so wanted the day to be special. He said He’d like some raspberry plants transplanted. I was scheduled to work but realizing I may never get another b-day with my dad I took the day off. He lay on a yard swing while my son, sister and I transplanted over 200 raspberry plants for him. We visited, laughed and shed a few tears together. The day is one I will treasure always. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is ourselves. Praising Him…”
(How precious our lives and loved ones are! Praying for comfort and strength for all of you. Thanks so much for your story. MP)
Comment by Mary Pierce — May 21, 2009 @ 11:43 am