It’s hard to keep me inside during the spring. Sitting on the back patio, feeling the sun on my face and listening to the birdsong in the yard. Absolute magic.
I have noticed something about this time of year. The birds in my yard are on a schedule and are busy in the throes of young motherhood.
If you watch for more than just a few minutes, you’ll see it. Back and forth from the same spots, carrying nesting material and food. Constantly working, dozens of trips. Small pieces layered into something that becomes a nest that will keep their young comfortable, safe, and prepare them for the life of a bird.
Once the nest is built, the workload doesn’t stop. Then you have to find food and protect your young from predators. The consistency matters. It keeps the nest afloat and teaches the young how to live on their own.
Humans aren’t much different. I suppose I’d never really sat down to think about it, but the similarities between bird mamas and human mamas aren’t far apart. Think about it. Being a mom is a thankless job with long working hours, doing repetitive tasks, caring for your young, making sure they are safe, well fed, and prepared for the next day. However, I bet if you asked any mom you know, she’d choose her kids and the workload any day of the week. That’s what makes them so astounding.
The best thing about getting older is that I’m constantly gaining new perspective on life because I’ve just had time to see more. Time to see all the loving consistency my mom put in year after year. Time to see other people you love become moms and put in the same level of effort. Age has given me the gift of perspective.
Let me give you an example of a perspective shift. You see, I’m the daughter of a former Marine and a proud Southern woman. Cleaning wasn’t an optional activity, it was required. I can still remember my mom coming upstairs to wake me up on Saturday morning, then proceeding to blast Earth, Wind & Fire on the house speakers. To say it wasn’t exactly my idea of fun would be the understatement of the century (I think my mom would probably agree). However, it was teaching me life lessons and shaping me without me knowing it. It taught me the value of discipline, hard work, and being a good steward of your space. It taught me a clean house is a clean mind, and that’s a gift that has served me extremely well. Not only that, but now you better believe I know and proudly sing “September” any time it comes on the radio. Perspective shift. (Thanks, Mom)
Or we could talk about what an absolute joy it has been watching my baby sister become a mom. I’m seeing a brief lens of motherhood through an adult set of eyes. She’s absolutely insane and had three girls under three. I am soooooooooo glad she’s nuts because she created three little girls who are some of my favorite things in this world. I see her consistently showing up for the girls, and I see how they look at her with the most adoring eyes. I hear and see firsthand how tired she (and her husband) are. Know what else I see? I see the tenacity of a woman who isn’t too much different from the bird in your backyard.
She’s in the throes of young motherhood. Some might call it her “nesting season.” The season of life where you are constantly building or cleaning the nest, feeding someone else’s mouth before your own, or have a to-do list a mile long. The thing is, what’s just a season to my sister will be a lifetime of memories for my nieces. Her consistency and example are shaping how they will see themselves and carry those values throughout their lives. My hope is that they will feel the same way toward their mom that I feel toward mine now.
When I was in it as a child, I couldn’t see it. Her sacrifice and consistency made my life better, just how my sister is making my nieces’ lives better. Just how the mama cardinal in the backyard is feverishly working to feed and prepare her babies to make their lives better.
They deserve more than just a day, but I’m really glad we have at least one day to stop and pause to reflect on the consistent, unspoken, tireless work of mothers. Nature shows us that mothers in every species are a powerful force the world couldn’t live without.
To my mom, my sister, and all the moms reading this, thank you. I adore you and think y’all are the real heroes.
