Signs of Life

For years a robin has built her nest near my front door. To me it’s another sign from CJ.

This year she tried to build her nest on the light beside my front door.

It was too unstable and fell down the first day. She was undeterred. She built it again. When it started to fall again, I propped it up for her, with a large stick.

Soon she was sitting on the nest and it seemed like all was well.

One morning, after a couple of weeks, she was coming and going regularly. I thought the babies must have hatched.

That morning I went out to do some errands and then was going to go to the park. After the chores were done, for some strange reason, I drove home instead. Muscle memory I guess. I decided, since I was at home I would try to take a look at the babies.

Just as I got close to the front door, two crows flew out, with the babies in their mouths. The robin was chasing them and I was screaming but it was too late. The babies were gone.

I was Devastated. The robin was confused and upset.

She kept going to the nest, searching for them. I finally took it down so she could stop looking for them.

I was so upset. If I hadn’t come home just then, I would not have seen this. I would have just been wondering why she had no babies.

I had to remind myself, even if her presence was a sign from CJ, nature and life can be cruel.

Soon after, I left to come to Newfoundland. Our rental is this amazing apartment that looks out over the harbour.

And just outside the window, on the roof across the street, a seagull is nesting. Her mate is by her side most days, chasing away the other birds who come to harass her.

I chose to believe that this nest is here, right outside my window, as a sign, a statement from CJ.

Life is a cycle. Life is not always easy and sometimes it’s down right cruel. But if you wait, you will circle around to the wonder again. The sign of the continued life here and in the hereafter. It’s not my Robin, but it’s a sign.