THE SPRING OF THE DESERT DOVES
May 21, 2004
I am watching a dove in my backyard. He has been adding a couple of small twigs to an existing nest. In between time, he calls to his beloved to come to dance with him. The nest sits in a flower basket that hangs from the eaves of the roof over my back porch. The flowers I had placed in there a few years ago soon faded away. I am finding that the plants and flowers prefer to be in the ground where they can more easily connect with their kingdoms.
The bird nest, which is being so carefully renovated for the new family, was built last spring by the first family to hatch their young there. Before the spring was over, four or five families of doves had made use of the nest. My husband and I watched in fascination as each pair of birds laid their eggs. The male and female took turns sitting on the nest to warm the eggs. Then, after the chicks were hatched, they took turns feeding the hungry little things. I remember my excitement the first time that I noticed the parents switching for nest duty. I called to my husband to come quickly. “Look,” I said, “he helps too!”
The doves were very accommodating. Even though the nest hung low, at eye’s height, they did not mind us watching. I would greet them each morning with a “Hi, mama!” And, when the babies were born, there would be three pairs of eyes staring peacefully back at me. The baby chicks always seemed to be hungry and grew very quickly. A few days after being born, they would begin to flap their wings. And before long, they would be out on their own. I was allowed to watch several first flights. The chicks would fly from the nest to the back wall. Then, they would disappear into anther world, the other yard behind mine. And, in a few days, the next family would be putting their personal touches on the nest and preparing to lay their eggs.
I remember one particular chick that was born weaker than his sibling. His sibling had flown out of the nest a couple of days previous. He remained, flapping his wings, but seeming too scared to take his first flight. I woke up one morning, and mama was nowhere in sight. He was cooing in his soft voice, calling to her for food. I was afraid that she had abandoned him. But, then I saw her across the yard and heard her patient cooing. It was as if she was telling him he must fly to her. He could not stay in the nest forever. He had to try. She came back to the nest a couple of times to demonstrate the easiest route to a perch close by. And, later that morning, he was able to muster the courage to step out of the nest to explore the world on the other side of the wall.
And before long, the next set of parents was sitting on the nest. Each set of parents had their own unique qualities. Some seemed very confident and would look me straight in the eye, continuing to sit on the eggs, even if I ventured within a couple of feet. Others seemed nervous, so I would give them more space. “Must be first time parents,” I thought.
And then there was the time when I went into the yard to do some watering, and saw a small dead dove in the middle of the grass. I could not bear to look too closely. I was afraid that it was one of the babies who had left the next a few days previous. I ran back into the house, feeling very sad, and paced up and down the hallway. “What have I done,” I said. “Did I cause this?” “Did harm flow through me, somehow, and show up in the death of this chick.”
Then, in a booming voice that seemed to come straight from my core, I hear quite clearly, “WHY DO YOU MOURN WHEN WE DO NOT MOURN?” I was rather taken aback, because I had not specifically asked a question or attempted direct communication at the time. I was too wound up in feeling guilty. But the message was repeated. “What?” I said. “Why do you mourn when we do not mourn?” Dove kingdom said again.
And then I realized what was meant. Dove kingdom does not approach their families as if they own them. They are part of a whole. Likewise, we as humans should not mourn death, not even our own death. We are part of an ascending human species. And, if we do not ascend completely in this lifetime, then we will ascend through our future ancestors. No experience is too small, for each experience serves the understanding of the whole.
Each of the families that came to the hanging basket in my back yard last year was unique. No one family was better or worse than another. In the same way, no one human family is better or worse than another. Some whole families may be ascending. Some families may have certain members who are ascending. Some whole families may not have the lineage to ascend, but will ascend through the next generation. Yet each family brings a unique set of experiences. Each family helps us as a whole in understanding human relationships – the joy and pain. And as members within families release their karma – mother to daughter, father to son, mother to father, sister to brother – a new day of harmless family relations is drawn closer.
I sit hear now watching the latest adjustments to the nest outside my window. It is ordinary now, having the bird nest so close by. I do not pay close attention to the daily events of the doves that perch there. But, I do remember the lessons from the doves of the spring last year. I thank them for allowing me to watch them grow. I honor them and each of the animal kingdoms that are ascending in communion with us. For they make the journey an easier one.
Namaste
Sherry Stapleton
About Sherry Stapleton: Early in my ascension journey, I began to explore the desert in which I live in Arizona. I was amazed at the diversity of life that is able to flourish here. I soon found that my backyard was a great place to bring my ascension into the physical. When I was releasing old consensus patterning, I was also pulling up all the old grass and planting new seed. When I was learning to ground to earth's aurora, I was also planting new trees, placing their roots deep into the soil. When I was searching for understanding of the mirrors presented by my family, I began to study the birds. Five or six or more species visit my backyard. They began to show me how I relate to my family and my personal patterning needing to be released. I am deeply grateful to all the nature kingdoms that assist me in understanding my lessons. I honor them and their journeys.
If you need assistance in your ascension, Sherry Stapleton available for telephone consultations. You can set up an appointment by sending an email to newdream@adelphia.net. .
HOME | Nature Articles | Affiliate Articles
Copyright Sherry Stapleton 2004 All Rights Reserved