Drama on the Porch

Over the past several years birds have build a nest in the eaves of my front porch.  Last year the spot was empty and I was sad.  This year a new spot, very close to the door was chosen and a nest appeared.  They even pulled some of their building supplies from my porch table décor.  What type of bird?  My friend told me but I don't remember.  Anyway it is typically a very fun process to watch the nest appear and then hear the chatter of babies etc.  Last week the mama and papa were not hovering around the nest, flying off whenever I opened the door.  Granted I had not gone in and out of that door a whole lot.  None the less, things were quiet and I had begun to think, they had abandoned.  Monday when I went out the front door, a bird flew off but there was still someone in the nest.  I thought it was the mama.  Then I noticed on the nearby power lines, mama and papa bird eyeing me.  That was a baby in the nest.  She looked big.  And my friend suggested that she looked blind.  After climbing on porch furniture to get a better look we concluded that there were 2 babies.  Yet something still didn't seem right. Today I went out to find a baby on the ledge, beside the nest.  Mama and Papa are eying my warily from the power line.  I don't see a sign of baby number two.  So I am not sure what is going on but it feels off.  Either this baby cant fly because of some disability or simply wont sit in the nest anymore because there is a dead sibling.. Baby bird drama. My first reaction is of course I would have the nest with the "special needs bird."  And I am a mess.  Not because I am like this "save the baby bird" person.  It is because there are needs and perceived trouble and I don't know how to fix it.  I feel responsible.  I want to make it all better. And I just don't know that there is anything to do.

 

Today we are preparing for our journey to Kansas for my brother's memorial.  Maybe that is where the anxiety over the birds really begins.  There is much to do today but not sure where to start. I feel somewhat responsible for getting us all to Kansas and back.  I am concerned for Dad who's physical  and emotional strength are slight, for mom who looks tired, and Peter who well is just 16 and going to visit relatives he doesn't know for vacation.  And though I think we are all ready for the closure of the memorial service, saying goodbye is never easy.