Empty Nest

The baby wrens have been peeking out of the nest box for a few days now. They are so cute and so very hungry. The parents franticly hunt for insects all day long. Bug after bug, and the babies keep peeping for more.

On Monday, I slept in a little. I had been planning on watching the babies leave the nest, and had hoped to snap a few photos. Well, I was disapointed when I finally made it out on the deck, coffee in hand and camera at the ready, and heard no peeps. I watched for about an hour, but there was no action. No peeps from the nest box and no parents making round trips to my gardens for insects. The babies were gone! I missed it.

Later in the day, while weeding near the back of my yard, I heard the familiar wren calls. They were back in the woods behind my house, probably teaching the babies how to hunt. I hear them occasionally while working in the yard and wonder how many babies there are. How many made it. It is not unlike my real situation. All our children are moved out and on their own. We still worry about them constantly and hope they will all make it.

Another lesson from nature. Nurture your children, worry about them, but know when to back off and let them fly on their own. Letting go is a very difficult thing to do, but if you have done your job well, they will soar and make you proud.