Sticks and Stones …
Saved by my Spiritual Bird
On November 16, 2023, my children, who affectionately refer to themselves as "kids,” gifted me what I considered to be a generous sum of money for my birthday. The day before, I also received a small box of chocolates, which I shared with a long-time friend.
On my birthday, November 16th, my lab technician surprised me with a birthday chocolate bar, for which I was very grateful. In the evening, my friend came over for dinner. I showed him the chocolate bar. He loves chocolate, but I told him that I insisted on keeping that gift for myself. He shouted, "You mean you're not going to share?" I replied, "No."
Triggering a rage of anger, he stood up and called me ungrateful, followed by heart-wrenching words no one should hear. I was deeply hurt. I cried.
As he stormed out of my place, he told me that I was on my own, and to make matters worse, he said he was cancelling my birthday dinner on November 18th with our friends. He did cancel the dinner arrangements, which only added to my depression.
This was a friend who had done more for me than anyone else in the world. I believe that he just got sick and tired of helping me out.
We are both responsible for what happened. I came out of the hospital very sick and vulnerable. He felt he needed to help me with everything. He did. I made the mistake of allowing him to do everything for me instead of telling him, "No, I'll do that!"
This man is very well-liked and is friendly with everyone, but he now maintains a superficial relationship with me. Sometimes, when he speaks to me, his tone pierces my heart. I always respond with kindness, and if a friend helps me, I cook a delicious homemade meal for them.
I also came out of the hospital, all bruised up, weak, and suffering from chronic pain. Unless a person suffers chronic pain, they don’t understand how irritable they can become. (See Newsletter, “Stay Away From Doctors!”).
Despite my pain, I did my best. I ordered food online and paid for it. I continued to cook dinners for my friend and myself while sitting on my walker.
My next-door neighbour saw how sick I was, and she brought me a side plate of food almost daily, saying, “You must eat.” She also picked up some groceries for me when she went out shopping.
I expressed my gratitude by presenting her with Christmas, Easter, and birthday flowers.
I still experience pain and suffering, but I persisted in preparing a nice homemade dinner for my friend.
I don't do this every evening as I have done in the past, only if he helps me with something I need help with. Other than that, I try not to rely or depend on him.
I felt like my birthday was a disaster because I didn't have dinner plans with friends to look forward to. On November 18th, between 5:00 and 6:00 pm, I stepped out to the back of my condo building. It was getting dark. Something touched the back of my head, and it startled me.
As I gazed forward, I noticed a petite owl fly past me and gracefully perch herself on a branch.
I was thrilled to see her. I stopped my walker, sat down, and started talking to her. I said hello and told her how beautiful she was. She sat quietly on the branch, looking at me for at least five minutes before she flew off.
The sight of this owl changed everything for me. My spirits were lifted, and I no longer dwelled on what had happened to me. However, as the saying goes,
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can also hurt me. Stones and sticks break only skin, while words are ghosts that haunt me. Slanted and curved the word-swords fall, it pierces and sticks inside me. Bats and bricks may ache through bones, but words can mortify me."
I will never forget the words spoken to me and how they made me feel.
Suddenly, after seeing my spirit animal, it felt like my whole world had shifted, and I began to receive several positive vibes.
First, I went out for my birthday dinner alone instead of staying home and feeling upset about my situation. I felt content with myself.
My neighbour gave me her vacuum cleaner, what a pleasant surprise!
In Tillicum Toastmasters, I gave a short speech about the owl who came to visit me in my darkest moment, and I won first prize for the speech.
I received several thoughtful gifts this holiday season. One lady who delivered my medication gave me a small pink and white owl ornament for my Christmas tree. I was overwhelmed, and tears rolled down my cheeks in joy.
The other woman who delivered my medication gave me a beautiful mug filled with candies.
A neighbour presented me with a Christmas gift bag with a unique desk calendar, creams, and lotions.
Furthermore, my neighbour and I exchanged chocolates as our annual tradition.
Ever since I spotted the owl, I have been consistently surprised. It always brings me a smile and reminds me to be grateful.
On February 8, 2024, I sat on the bench in front of our condo building, enjoying the tall green trees and the quietness of the evening with my neighbour. She told me a low-flying bird had just flown by. It wasn't just any bird; it was an owl. It flew past us, across the street, and into the Cedar Hedge.
On February 18, 2024, I listed my car for sale. On April 13, 2024, I sold my car close to my asking price.
On May 13, 2024, I visited the quiet and peaceful backyard of my condo building. The foreground features a beautiful flower garden with many colourful blossoms. Additionally, there is a large birdbath in the garden for the birds to enjoy.
The condo building backs up to a ravine with plenty of tall trees now covered with leaves.
I felt melancholic because I couldn't see my children and grandson on Mother's Day.
Only two of the four kids texted me. I was beginning to dislike cell phones because you no longer seem to hear from your children or other family members except through text messages.
As I sat there feeling alone, not lonely, my owl flew by and landed on a branch high in the tree. She perched there and was chirping. This time, she was talking with me. I said hello to her and told her how beautiful she was. Indeed, she was lovely. The number 13 is my lucky number. Imagine seeing my spiritual bird on the 13th day.
I spotted what I believe to be the best Western Screech Owl. It flew down to the next branch and blended in with the bark, but I could still make it out. The owl was calm and focused on a black squirrel climbing up the branch below it. I was concerned that if the squirrel crossed its path, the owl would swoop down and make it a meal.
We were all interrupted by three crows squawking at the owl. The owl flew down to the next branch. She was closer to me now, but her back was facing me as she had to be attentive to the crows.
My cell phone rang, and I thought the Western Screech Owl would be startled and fly away. She turned her head and looked directly at me for a few seconds. She was indeed the most magnificent owl. After a few seconds, the Western Screech Owl turned her head back to focus on the crows.
The crows persisted loudly, cawing at the owl until she could fly into the Cedar Hedge and vanish.
Four days later, on May 17th, my neighbour greeted me in the lobby of our condo building. She gave me a package of napkins with the cutest owl on them. I shook the napkins in enthusiasm and thanked her for the gift. Everyone knows my love of owls.
I passionately shared this sighting with everyone I encountered for days and continue to cherish the inspirational day the Western Screech Owl gave me. The excitement of my day upon seeing this owl was evident in my eyes, smile, and voice as I spoke.
