When They Leave the Nest

I was cutting grass this morning and got to wondering something about birds. I started thinking about what a momma or poppa bird may think when the young ones leave the nest and go out on their own.

Or do they not think anything?

Anyways, it got me thinking about my own parents.

I left home a long time ago. I joined the Army, and later took a job away from home. At the time, I was excited about what was ahead of me. But I don't remember ever giving much thought to what it was like for my parents to watch me go.

I'm sure they were excited for me, and I'm sure they were proud. But now I wonder what else they were feeling.

I think I understand it a little better these days.

My kids are grown now, and they're at about the same place I was all those years ago. They're branching off, doing their own thing and figuring out where life is going to take them. I'm excited for them and very proud.

But there's a feeling that goes along with it that I can't really explain.

It's not that you want them to stay home. You don't. You raised them to go out and make a life of their own. Maybe it's just realizing that part of your life has changed too.

And that's what brought me back to the birds.

They build a nest. They raise their young. They feed them and look after them. Then one day those little birds leave.

I know birds aren't people, and maybe I'm putting too much human thinking into it. But I still wonder.

Does that momma or poppa bird notice how quiet the nest is? Do they hang around for a little while after the young ones are gone? Do they miss them?

Does anyone really know? I for sure don't.

But maybe I just wonder about things too much.