No U-Haul behind a Hearse

(photo from the Internet--I don't really think someone tried to "take it with him"!)

The title of this post may make you scratch your head a bit--but I looked around for an appropriate quote to get at the idea of possessions, and every one I found just seemed lame.

So I recalled this old expression--no idea who might have first said it, but it conveys something that speaks to my heart. Of course, the gospel statement of "what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" says it so much better.

So, why this rumination of possessions? Because my husband and I have just given away our dining room table and chairs. Now, mind, we are not going without such a table. We found a new one that is on its way, so I put the old table and chairs on Freecycle (yes, my friendly Internet give-away site).

It was the responses that just blew me away. I really struggled making a decision about whom I should select to give the tables and chairs.

(photo from Internet--this is NOT our old table and chairs!)

Here are some of the things people wrote in response to my offering the furniture (with no corrections as to how they expressed their need):

--Hello I Am Very Intrested In This Dining Set, I Am A Single Parent And
Just Moved In Area And I Have A Person From My Daughter's Nursing Hospice Care That Would Be Glad To Pick Up For Me, I Can Really Use This For My Family

--We're interested in the table and chairs. We 'inherited' an older table
from my wife's deceased grandmother a few years ago. It had been around for
quite a time - and was in storage for a few years before we acquired it. It has
never been in good condition since we got it - and most of the chairs are
broken. We've been holding out to find/purchase a newer set - but haven't
done so yet as there are always other pressing needs.

--I would be very interested in yoru dining table and chairs. We
moved here a couple of years ago, with nothing, from CO. Due to health
reasons we moved here to be near family. We have accumulated quite a few
items, but are still in need of a dining table and chairs. Since moving
here, we also moved my daughter and her two children in with us. I believe
it is so important for families to eat together as a family and discuss their
day. Any way, I would be very interested in your dining table and
chairs. Please consider my request. Thank you and God Bless

--We would love to take the table off your hands. We are a family
of five and haven't been able to sit at the table together for about two years
now. I would love to be able to eat as a whole family again. We
could pick up by sat. for you. It would be Friday I think my husband has a
meeting for scouts Thursday night. We could pick up tonight, but I see you
want to wait for 24 hours. I understand that. Let us know if we are
the ones chosen and I will make sure he has the trailer here at our house
waiting to come get it.

--if you still have the table and chairs please let me know i have been
looking for one for a girl at church and her kids they had to start over so i
took it apon myself to try to help her out by trying to find her some furniture
please let me know if you still have this thanks and blessings to you and
yours

--If you would consider us for the table and chairs, we would be very
greatful. We are a family of 8 and we have to eat in shifts. We only have 4
chairs and a small table. If you would consider us, then we would have enough
room for everyone and could freecycle what we have the table and 2 chairs,
because we would need to keep 2 to go with the table and 6 chairs that you have.
Thank you for at least considering us.

Well, I almost went out and bought another table and chairs just so I could pick TWO families to get a place to sit to eat. It touches the heart.

I finally contacted the family of 8, and today the father came by with his pick-up truck. Together, he and I loaded the 6 chairs, two extension pieces, and table onto his truck. I hope that tonight that family ate together, perhaps even saying a prayer, and thinking how they can help another family.

For the birds

It is with some personal bemusement that I reflect that among the blogs I try to read daily are a good many bloggers who love birds.

Among these able writers are people who are nature experts and authors, people who do their part for community betterment by volunteering, people who like to take walks (with or without pets) and in the process observe the wonders of nature, including birds. Many of these bloggers are photographers—some experts, some talented amateurs. You can read some of them here, here, here, and here.

Now, I love birds—I am fascinated to watch them in flight, I day-dream about the wondrous view of the world birds must have, I try to figure out what type a bird is when I see it, I have obsessed over peregrines.

But, when it comes right down to it, I do not photograph birds—I never have my camera with me when I have a close encounter, or even if I had my camera along, it is a basic camera with minimal zoom capability, so I would miss the bird shot. I also do not seek out places to see birds. Even though we live within easy driving distance, I have never been to Hawk Mountain. I do not have a life list, although, given my youth in southern Africa, I have seen some birds that people here are unlikely to see—for example, the Mzilikazi roller (lilac-breasted roller).

Photo from http://www.justbirds.org/Kenya/Lilac-breasted%20roller.htm

And, believe me, the last time I had an urge to get up at the crack of dawn, or even before that, to go birding was when I was in college and it was required for a science course!

So what am I?

I have finally decided that I am a bird-enabler. My husband and I faithfully contribute to many environmental causes that are designed to help preserve habitat, rehabilitate wounded wildlife including birds, educate people about the wonders of the web of life that sustains us all. The organizations we support are national: Audubon Society, Greenpeace, National Wildlife, Nature Conservancy, the Wilderness Society. And local: Hawk Mountain, the local chapter of the Audubon Society, and on and on the list goes.

So, there you have it. I am a bird-enabler. I make it possible for people to do all that is necessary to help preserve birds, and their habitat. I will keep on reading, keep on giving, keep on cheering all the birders out there—I just won’t be joining them.