The two baby hummingbirds (that we have been watching grow in one of our trees) are pictured here on the eve of first flight. The next morning, the eldest lifted off and left the nest. I like to imagine she felt all the love we gave her, layered upon her mother’s tireless care. We wish her the very best as she spreads her wings! Today, perhaps the younger baby will follow….
My eldest child is also finding her wings this week! She has set off on an adventure, she is trying school for the first time! Of course, we have home schooled (mainly unschooled) for nearly 5 years now, but this going to the local elementary school is a very different kind of adventure. It feels like my 9 and a half year old “baby” is leaving the nest (just a little bit) and I have super mixed emotions. As with the hummingbirds, I wish her so much love and luck on this next flight…..but I also want to snuggle into the nest with her and hold her tight forever. Sigh, I feel there will be more and more of this to come as her wings stretch and lift her farther and higher in the years to come.
Here is my daughter (and the younger hummingbird), ready to fly!
I am so glad that my growing girl is embracing this adventure with such beautiful excitement and joy. But I must admit, I also take comfort in the fact that this is just one week of her being away at the big school. Next week we will settle back into our cozy homeschool routine and finish out the year in a familiar fashion. Sometime before the fall, my big girl will decide which schooling adventure she will choose for next year. And I will support her with all my heart (even if it hurts).
P.S. My “Find Your Wings” piece is now available as an art card (professionally printed on 100% recycled paper). You can get them at Artzi Stuff or from my Etsy shop. It might be the perfect graduation card for someone on your list!
How amazing that you have your daughter taking a little flight, and a baby hummingbird doing the same! Your images are beautiful, and your words take me right there. I’ve never seen a hummingbird nest before, so this is a treat!
Thank you for your kind words Deborah! I too am witnessing a hummingbird nest in action for the first time and it has been magic. The last one flew off today and I am surely going to miss them (and watch closely at the feeder wondering if they return!)
I love the words and the sentiment expressed so eloquently. I hope her adventure is a good one, filled with all that life’s new experiences can bring. And riding that bus is fun in itself…
Thank you for your love and hope Shannon, for sharing this journey with us! And yes, riding the bus is probably the thing she had most been looking forward too!
Whoopee Raena looks like lots of fun!
She definitely had a positive fun experience for her sample week
Beautiful illumination of cross species life moments
How amazing is our journey and how poignant it is to reflect upon growth!
I too marvel at this cross species connection. Well put, Lisa!
My darling I feel for you, I remember when Kea first went to school, she was 12 and I wept, right there in the office (she had left the room with her teacher…and yes I did think briefly of following…) the office lady knew me and hugged me…saying “most of get this over with when our kids are 5…”. Made me laugh out loud thru the tears..and kea flourished becos I think she had so much love and support from her home and she was a woman to be reackoned with even then…ring a few bells?…love you all, see you soon xxxxx
Darling Leonie mermaid sister…..thank you for sharing this memory. Yep, we are on a similar path (and yes, both our girls are amazing and strong!). In the fall, when she is 10 and goes to school for real (not just a week of fun), I know there will be some (more) tears for me and I will be looking to you for some hugs over the airwaves
Big Love to mum and baby. Christy, I am so very proud of you. You are a great mom. Raena and Alex are lucky to have you walk with them. You are enriched by having them….
How ironic the flight of your birds…how beautiful.
Thank you Veronica, your wise words, your love, shared all along this journey…..they mean so much to me, you mean so much to me!