"Out of the mouths of babes, oft time come gems." This well-known saying, probably derived from Psalms in the Bible, should remind us to always be on the lookout to learn a life lesson in the most obscure of places. Today, I have 2 posts, as I felt compelled to write this second one, not about how to exponentially multiply your traffic, guarantee 100% click through, or how to have the best website in the world, but rather to share a few "gems".
When you're down, sing louder!
Life is full of ups and downs, good and bad, want and plenty. How we react during these times determines who we are. When Kenya, our Lovebird, was getting low on water or food he'd sing and chat to us even more than normal. Without being a whinger, when life is tough, gather your friends around you and ask for support. A trouble (or problem) shared is a trouble halved.
Make the most of every situation
When he was out of his cage, he'd fly, and fly, and fly. In fact, he was a little naughty, and getting him back into his cage was sometimes quite a mission! But he was taking full advantage of the moment. If you were at the sink washing your hands of some dishes, that was always his cue (in his mind anyway) to come and have a bath. We'd cup our hands to make a pool with the faucet running, and he'd flap and wriggle in it. Or if we were making sandwiches, he'd be there to "help" - that is help himself to some of the bread!
Stay in touch
His cage sat beside one of the windows looking out on the backyard. As the wild bieds woke in the mornings, Kenya heard their chatter and would talk back to them all. He couldn't always see them, but he could hear them, and he wasn't going to miss a chance to connect.
Never miss a chance to say, "I love you!"
When he'd see us go past his cage, or hear us moving around, he never missed a chance to call out. Who knows whether he was saying, "I love you!" or "Hello" or just "Give me more food!", but he never missed a chance to involve himself in our lives. Always be ready to say, "I love you!" to those closest to you.
Farewell
So it's with a heavy heart that we bid our beloved Kenya, a most dear and loved companion of 14 years, a final farewell. He died yesterday afternoon. The house seems so quiet without his calls, and the ringing of the bell which hung in his cage. You will be terribly missed, but never forgotten. Thank you for the joy, the fun, and the lessons you brought to us. RIP Kenya.
