Empty Nest

One of the things I always 

do after a wind swept storm

 is to walk around the yard 

and look for nests 

that have been tugged

 loose from their moorings.

Some years there are none 

are then the next year

 the yard offers up one or two.

It was the flash of gold 

that caught my eye and led me to this nest.

Woven and mostly hidden right 

into the nest is the thin strand of shimmer.

Some forgotten birthday bow 

escaped from a trash bin.

And then redeemed with leaves

 and tiny twigs to give 

nurture and protection to tiny baby birds.

Yes, that's what nests are-

the place where we grow and raise the youngun's

and breathlessly wait for them to fly.

Years ago, a favorite term

 in our home was to "make a nest".

I hear it now in the homes of my daughters.

 We talk about "empty" nests and quiet houses-

and young parents look at you

 with longing-yes- that's 

another world to them.

Maybe all we can do when

 we are on the "other side of nesting"

is to continue to give encouragement 

and remind parents to tie in the golden strands

 of living together in faith with their children.

The empty nest comes all too quickly

 and then we wait for them to return 

here and there for visits in the future.

And once again, our children 

can be reminded of golden strands of memory

 that breathe grace, forgiveness, and hope

 into their lives as young parents.