Giving Obsessions the Bird 05/15/2010
As I watched my daughter bike round and round the cul de sac this morning, I saw this bird perched on the passenger window of my SUV. It would alternate between flying up and down, pecking at itself in the sideview mirror, and finding its spot on the door again. At first I thought this routine was sweet. But then I realized, "Poor birdie! It sees itself in the reflection, but thinks it's another bird! It will forever be in agony for it will never break the facade in front of it for a soul mate behind the glass." I couldn't take it any longer. I lugged a baby crib mattress from the garage (which I was bringing to my mom's in a grand effort to Spring Clean) and blocked it. With an obstacle that large, what could the bird do but fly away? I thought of Harry Potter's Mirror of Erised: A magical object where one can look into the glass and see what is not really there, but desperately wished was.  What do I see in my mirror? I see a son who doesn't tic. I see a husband who doesn't work so much. I see a daughter who isn't smarter than I am and parents that never die. I see perfection. And really, who can attain that? No one but a person peering into a magic mirror. For a moment I felt a sense of accomplishment. I felt, like that bird who flew off, that I, too, could free myself of burdens that really weren't burdens at all, but instead just little droplets of life that form the rivers of our existence: Joy, sorrow, disappointment, ambition, loneliness, fulfillment, peace, pain... everything mixed into colors as vibrant and brilliant as my K-Mart geraniums.  Just as Pip made her tenth loop around, and I took a deep breath... quite pleased with my assessment of life, I looked across the street. There, perched on top of a weather beaten sedan, was that same damn bird.  Apparently, if it couldn't obsess about its frustrations in one location, it would simply find another spot to do so. I knew, like my furry little friend, that I, too, would probably fall into the same trap. Different location, same problem. But I'm trying. Be patient with me. But if I sprout feathers on my ass, please call a doc pronto. Comments05/20/2010 20:16
A friend of mine was telling me about a bird flying into, trying to attack, repeatedly, their picture window. Every morning, every day, all day, he would puff up his feathers like he was defending his territory against a rival bird. Oh my goodness -you seriously crack me up! That poor dear little birdy.... just remember that their brains are about the size of a pea :D Leave a Reply |  ArchivesApril 2009 Online DegreesSocial work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people's lives. Earn your masters degree in social work. CategoriesAll 
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