The day started like any other, up at 6am and straight to the computer and work. 7am arrives finally, the caf is open. I dress my daughter quickly and head off for my coffee. Today was a bit different to most though, as I pulled up sharply once I got to the front gate. There, a mere two feet from us was a magnificent Australian kookaburra.
My immediate thought was wonder that we got so close without startling it to flight. These majestic birds are not budgerigars, they tend to avoid humans. Seeing one so close is a treat so special it is to be remembered and treasured. So I backtracked and roused my wife so she could come and enjoy this beautiful bird while it rested on our front fence. There we stood, the four of us, enjoying each other's company a mere two feet from each other for nigh on five minutes. What a spectacular start to the day.
Once it flew away, I went and got my coffee and reflected on the experience. I can't believe I had to get within two feet of this bird before I realized it was there. Unbelievable, I am sure the kookaburra was watching me from the moment I stepped outside. Was I really that caught up in my own thoughts that I couldn't see what was at the end of my nose?
One more step and surely I would have sent the kookaburra to flight. I would have missed this wonderful start to the day; it would simply have been sacrificed to inattention. What a terrible loss as these magical moments with nature are so rare. It was really a little bit of a wakeup call. Slow down and smell the roses. There is so much happening right now, yet we are all rushing to tomorrow, eyes so focused on the future we forget to enjoy the present.
My family hears kookaburras all the time; we live close to the bush right on a river. This is the first time though I have been visited by one of the flock, in such a fashion. The memory will stay with me for a long time though and the song of the kookaburra will have new meaning for me. "Slow down a bit Damian" it will sing "enjoy today and everything it brings". A message perhaps many of us should heed.
My immediate thought was wonder that we got so close without startling it to flight. These majestic birds are not budgerigars, they tend to avoid humans. Seeing one so close is a treat so special it is to be remembered and treasured. So I backtracked and roused my wife so she could come and enjoy this beautiful bird while it rested on our front fence. There we stood, the four of us, enjoying each other's company a mere two feet from each other for nigh on five minutes. What a spectacular start to the day.
Once it flew away, I went and got my coffee and reflected on the experience. I can't believe I had to get within two feet of this bird before I realized it was there. Unbelievable, I am sure the kookaburra was watching me from the moment I stepped outside. Was I really that caught up in my own thoughts that I couldn't see what was at the end of my nose?
One more step and surely I would have sent the kookaburra to flight. I would have missed this wonderful start to the day; it would simply have been sacrificed to inattention. What a terrible loss as these magical moments with nature are so rare. It was really a little bit of a wakeup call. Slow down and smell the roses. There is so much happening right now, yet we are all rushing to tomorrow, eyes so focused on the future we forget to enjoy the present.
My family hears kookaburras all the time; we live close to the bush right on a river. This is the first time though I have been visited by one of the flock, in such a fashion. The memory will stay with me for a long time though and the song of the kookaburra will have new meaning for me. "Slow down a bit Damian" it will sing "enjoy today and everything it brings". A message perhaps many of us should heed.
About the Author:
Damian Papworth is a dedicated family man. He recently went looking for baby high chairs. He found the Fisher Price high chair products were particularly impressive.
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