Thoughts on White Doves
and our Chosen Profession
White Doves! The very words conjure up images
from ancient times, bible stories, love tales, and messages from heaven.
It is easy to write poems about doves, and use them as metaphors for wildly
wonderful moments. I love sharing my white doves with people and adding
to their happiness. It is with a smile that I explain all of this
symbolism to my customers and watch their faces light up with joy as the birds
take flight. White Dove Releases are spectacular.
The
other day I was at a wedding. My doves were waiting not-so-patiently in
their crates and decorated cages, watching for the doors to open. The
setting was beautiful with a gazebo set beneath great spreading trees and pond
in the background and green grass beneath my feet. Wild birds chirped in
the branches and a wild dove coo-coo-ed in the distance. There was a
harpist playing gently on the far side of the gazebo as breeze tousled my
hair.
Because my job was done until the bride
appeared, I sat quietly absorbing for just a few minutes. How many
people in their jobs are forced to stop and be still and just absorb, if only
for a moment? I watched my birds peaking from the crate and felt so at
peace, for at least a few minutes of that day and thought to myself, what a
wonderful path I walked, beneath the wings of white.
I also pondered on all the work that goes
into this quiet moment, like the harpist practicing. The day-to-day reality of
caring for the birds is sometimes what I consider my "job", and the fun gets
misty at times. As I clean their loft and scrape the shelves, as I band and
record their histories, as I fill feeders, wash waterers, and scrub nest
bowls, I might forget, for a moment, the quiet whisper of wings as the white doves fly
into a blue
sky - circling the loft and dropping in for a landing. I forget the joy of
hearing their wings against the air as they catapult into freedom. But
then the peace creeps gently back, as on that day, with the harpist playing and the birds
waiting.
We have chosen a path that is very unique. Don't
forget to pause and enjoy it.
White Doves! Wonderful!
|