A lesson from one of the “least of these.”

The unseasonably warm weather these last few days has caused our local songbird population to begin their morning concerts earlier than usual. It is a joy to wake to the sounds of Cardinals, warblers and scores of other “singers,” that fill the early morning hours as the sun appears.

When we moved to Cedarburg many years ago, we had a parakeet among our many pets. At times she was irritating with her chatter, the only language that she had. It often reached a higher pitch when we were in the kitchen.  Only now I full appreciate that this was her only social life – talking to us in his excitable language.

We “hushed” her at times with a kitchen towel draped on her cage to keep her quiet.  How cruel.  The bird’s entire existence was framed and formed by our interaction with her.  She had no experiences outside that cage to talk about.  No school tales, and meetings with friends.  No travels and week-end visits to interesting places.  Just her 12 X 18-inch cage for nine years.

And yet, when she was dying, for several days she struggled just to breath.  Her last valiant act, the day before she died, was to reach the swinging perch she spent most of her waking (and sleeping hours) on. As she struggled up the side of the cage, I saw a kinship between her and all of God’s creatures and her will to live.  she was just a bird you may say, and you would be right.  But she was also a part of our family experience.

Our girls grew and matured during those nine years.  Our family experienced both losses and celebrations.  We changed, yet stayed the same.  And through it all our little parakeet faithfully chattered on.

She became such a fixture in our day-to-day life that I scarce but noticed her, except to get irritated by the noise whenever I spoke to someone within her hearing.  I wonder how often I treat the people who surround my life the same way. Especially those who are closest to me?  Do I find them irritating?  Their questions endless?  Their presence and demands frustrating?  I think so, and that saddens me.

So today I thank our little green and yellow friend for reminding me once again that no matter how important I might think my life and priorities are – the true importance of living lies in the way I treat “the least of these, my sisters and brothers.”  Fellow creatures doing the best they can to live and find meaning in their days.