Both of these photos represent the mixed blessings of watching and loving earth’s creatures. 

This young hawlet apparently fell out of a nearby nest and ended up at my neighbor’s. He was lovely, helpless, terrified. And those who admired him were helpless as well. His story came to an end according to nature’s plan, despite the best efforts and hopes of several people. 

The robin family is a familiar story in our office parking garage, although nature’s plans have run the gamut with these little guys. We’ve seen entire families complete the cycle — nest built, eggs laid, eggs hatch, babies grow, babies fed, babies leave the nest. But we’ve also seen the cycles cut short — nests destroyed, eggs that won’t hatch, and other sad fates.  

That’s the deal we make with the earth, I guess. If we’re willing to love and admire beauty and celebrate little miracles, we have to accept a little heartbreak to keep things in perspective.

The only thing I can figure is that it’s simply our job to keep looking around, accept that there is greater wisdom that governs it all, and say “thank you” at every possible opportunity.