Last week, I met a little green and yellow bird. She was standing on the front stoop of our building, with her mouth open, stunned. She must have flown into the glass door and lost herself for a minute. Mom noticed her on the way into the house, and, thinking this was a baby bird and I would want to meet her, she came upstairs to tell me about our visitor. I padded downstairs in my pajamas and socks and sat down next to the little bird on the Welcome mat. On closer inspection, the bird seemed to be an adult bird, just small in stature, and very shocked. At first, I even thought she might be a fake bird, someone’s idea of an ornament for the season, made of cloth and wood, but then she fluttered her feathers, just a little. I reached out to touch her, trying hard not to scare her, and she let me rub her head and neck with my thumb. That seemed to release the muscles in her neck just enough for her to close her mouth and tilt her head towards me. But she was still moving in slow motion and staring into space. Mom suggested picking her up, so I gently wrapped my fingers around her folded wings, feeling her rapid heartbeat against my palm, and held her loosely in my hand. She stretched one leg, and then the other, stepped up onto my fingers, and then pooped into the palm of my hand. And then she flew away.
(from google images)
I’ve been told that having a bird poop in my hand is supposed to bring me good luck, but it was the few moments I was able to spend with that little bird that felt magical to me. The way she allowed me to be her in-between place, her respite, between trauma and flight.
Mom, of course, googled and found out that the little bird was a female Yellow Warbler, with her yellow throat and belly, her green overcoat, and her long skinny feet.
(from google images)
And I realized that my short moment with the little warbler felt like a sped up version of my years with Butterfly. Because, it turned out, I was Butterfly’s respite too, between her first eight years in the puppy mill, and her flight into a new world. The little miracle of the bird’s visit, and the big miracle of my time with Butterfly, were both incredible gifts, and I am trying to believe that I deserved them.
rachelmankowitz 
Lovely story, thanks for sharing
Thank you!
You certainly deserved both lovely souls in your life. There are many reasons your little feathered friend showed up on your doorstep and one may have been to give you some respite from your grief.
Thank you!
Rachel, make no mistake, you so deserved this little treasure! What a sweet remembrance of little Butterfly.
Thank you!
Of course you deserved them! Oh, Rachel–to be able to not only stroke that poor, stunned little bird, but to hold her and help her regain herself–what a gift that was. Butterfly smiled.
It was wonderful!
A wonderful experience, one to treasure along with Butterfly’s life with you 🙂
Thank you!
Things, like this little warbler, come into our lives when we need them most. Sounds like it lifted your spirits a little and helped you further realize how much you helped Butterfly in the time you had with her. What a wonderful gift.
It was really lovely.
❤️
Oh Rachel, how insightful! You are going to help so many people see meaning in their struggle. I still grieve for Butterfly but think her name was also appropriate. She flew with you.
She told me her name the first moment I met her. I tried to change her mind, to choose something a little more down to earth, but she knew better.
what a wonderful thing to happen- I am sorry the poor thing was stunned, but your interaction and the way you related it to Butterfly is wonderful
Thank you!
I can’t imagine most people would take the time to cradle a bird in their hands…mush less let it poop there! And I suspect the bird knew you were a helper and could be trusted. You definitely deserve those miracles.
Thank you! There’s something so amazing about that feeling of a heartbeat in you hands; poop is a small price to pay.
Wow… How very special…
Thank you!
PS–I thought you might enjoy Kathy’s post and blog if you haven’t already discovered it.Her bird photography–and bird sensitivity–is amazing!
Thank you!
If it were a male bird, I’d know what to do. I’m tired of laying unfertilized eggs.
I’m so sorry, Kismet. An empty nest is a lonely place.
A very special moment and not one that many people would reflect on like you did. And yes, you deserved both the time with the pretty yellow bird and your time with your precious Butterfly.
Thank you!
What a wonderful experience you had with the bird. It’s lovely that it reminded you of Butterfly. I suspect the bird recognized your true heart. Your heart shines through in the magical moments and memories you share.
Thank you!
Beautifully written. You made my day
Thank you so much!
What Liz said.
Listening to yourself and to the little bird and to Butterfly telling you her name – you’ll be an equally good listener for the people who will come to you to be heard.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
I’m glad you sheltered the bird while she was so vulnerable to the attentions of any passing dog or cat. Very sweet of you!
Thank you! It was an honor.
Love this – “The way she allowed me to be her in-between place, her respite, between trauma and flight.” How lucky she was, too to have found that respite.
Thank you!
Of course you deserved them….you have a great understanding and are a great champion for creatures who need you. Thanks for being their respite…we all need some from time to time.
Thank you!
Lovely story. Life is full of miracles.
Thank you!
What a touching, magical story.
Thank you!
Beautifully told Rachel
Thank you!
Rachel, you are obviously worthy–Butterfly and the Warbler were confirmations of your worthiness. You deserve all that love and more. I hope you can glory in it.
Thank you!
This has brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my chest, it’s so beautiful.
Nature has a way of bringing us an inner peace.
Thank you!
The precious prize was worth the poop!
I agree!
You deserve every bit of these gifts Rachel and so many more to come. Lovely. Thank you ❤️
Thank you!
Lovely story, Rachel.
Thank you!
You deserved them
Thank you!
Oh wow! Such a special experience 🙂
Thank you!
Awww…so cute. We’ve had a few of those experiences. They fly into a window and get stunned. You have no idea how badly, so you pick them up to take them to get help somewhere, then they freak out and fly away! Better that than the alternative!
That’s a lovely and powerful connection you made, Rachel. Glad you could be there for Butterfly and bird.
Thank you!
Of course you deserve moments/periods of grace.
Thank you!
You most definitely do deserve those terrific gifts. Not the bird poo so much, but the gift of their visits to brighten your heart, absolutely.
Thank you! I think you’ve just gotta take the poo in stride.
Beautiful story, a wonderful encounter with nature. A joy to be proud of and share.
Love your Butterfly, wish she was mine. Have a great week.
Thank you!
Glad your warbler was okay. Came out yesterday morning to find a feathery lump on my wall next to the street. Apparently a juvenile hawk was killed – but not sure by what – and someone laid it on my wall. That grieves me more than a couple dozen pigeons. Is that bad?
That’s awful.
Thanks, I needed a positive tale about birds today. Our neighborhood has been plagued by flocks of grackles for the past few weeks. Their poop is not charming either. Hopefully they’ll migrate away very soon.
Cricket thinks bird poop is aromatherapy.
What a lovely thing to happen to you
Thank you!
I don’t know that we ever “deserve” a miracle. That is what God’ grace is all about. I am so glad this little piece of grace came your way, Rachel.
Thank you!
Both you and the bird were lucky! So often our little flying friends don’t survive the crash with a window. In the past we used the same window-sticker warnings for birds that we used for our grandchildren. Don’t know if it works – either for birds or kids.
Even if it doesn’t work – it sounds awesome! I should paste a picture of Cricket, with her mouth ope, on the door.
Do it. That would certainly scare them away. 🙂
Oh I was in a cafe when I read this post which bought tears to my eyes Rachel. Its the only way to look at this life really, its such a short space between other world and other lives. So beautiful.
Thank you!
What a beautiful story! I would picture it in my head word for word, thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed it. 🙂
Thank you!
Wonderful thoughts!
Thank you!
This is beautiful and very touching. Im new to your page, but am excited for your future touching posts.
Thank you!
Love that the bird was ok, and that you were able to hold it for even a moment. I used to have parakeets and a cockatiel (before we found out that their dander was too bad for my breathing). Love the birds, and a yellow warbler is one of the prettiest.
She was a beautiful little bird.
Oh, how very special.
Thank you!
A fleeting moment richly deserved.
Thank you!
you’re a benevolent
friend to animals 🙂
Reblogged this on wellnesswarriors nyc and commented:
Sometimes animals will come to us for certain reasons. Any thoughts Rachel?