My son Alex and I were taking an after dinner walk when we spotted a patch of something that was a brilliant blue sitting on a bare branch.
“What is that?” Alex asked as we watched the patch of blue leave the tree branch and fly to another tree.
“Oh, it’s a bird!” I cried as we watched a few more of them fly from tree to tree. “Are they Blue Jays?”
“Nope. They’re smaller than a blue jay and not the right color blue.”
As we watched them fly off I took my phone out of my pocket and clicked on Google. “I can’t believe I’ve never seen that bird before.” I typed in ‘blue birds in New Jersey’ and up popped our little friend. “It’s literally called a Bluebird!” I showed Alex the picture.
Alex looked at the picture. “Yup, that’s it alright.”
I turned the phone back to me and began reading about it. “It says they’re a common sight in New Jersey.” I looked back at Alex. “Clearly we live under a rock because that’s the first one I’ve ever seen.”
Alex laughed. “I’ve never seen one either.”
“I guess we both live under a rock.” I answered as I continued reading. “Oh, wait!” I began nodding my head. “It says that from the 1930’s to the 70’s their population dwindled because of habitat loss, pesticide use and the introduction of aggressive non-native birds like Starlings.” I looked back at Alex angrily shaking my head. “Another reason I’m not a big fan of Starlings. What a bunch of bullies chasing away those sweet little Bluebirds.”
I put my phone back in my pocket and we began walking again. “I’m glad they’re coming back.”
Alex nodded his head.
I thought I spotted another one in the trees. “Welcome back little guys!” I called up to them.
Alex quickly looked around making sure we were alone on the path.
“Don’t worry. I checked to see if we were by ourselves before I called out.”
“I appreciate that.”
“No worries.” I stopped and pulled my phone out of my pocket again. “Hey, I just thought of the phrase, Bluebird of happiness. I wonder if that’s a real thing?” I began typing again.
“It is!” I began scrolling again. “It was a song but, it also says a Bluebird is a symbol of joy and happiness and when you spot one you can expect that in your future.” I looked over to Alex. “Okay so which one of us spotted it first so we know who can expect the joy and happiness in the near future?”
Alex looked at me for a minute. “What if I say we both saw it at the same time?”
“Really?” I slipped my phone back in my pocket and we began to walk again. “That would be great!”
“Are you feeling like you need a little more joy and happiness in your life right now?”
“Are you kidding?” I looked over at Alex. “I’m feeling like the entire world could use a little more joy and happiness right now.”
Alex nodded his head in agreement as I pointed to another Bluebird further up the path. “You’ve got your work cut out for you little guy!” I called out to him.
Alex looked behind us again.
“Don’t worry.” I laughed. “We’re still alone.”
Slice of Life 