Thursday, July 28, 2011

SYNCHRONICITY, BIRDS AND HEALING


Every year Seth Apter organizes a "Treasure Hunt" for favourite blog posts. You can find links to other bloggers taking part in the treasure hunt, here. I have chosen Synchronicity, Birds and Healing for my Buried Treasure post. The bird sculptures in this post are all created by Geoffrey Gorman.


When my husband was gravely ill he spent many months in bed recovering from several surgeries and radical chemotherapy. To distract ourselves from the situation I decided to hang bird feeding platforms outside our bedroom window to see how many bird species we could attract to the garden. Every day I prepared a feast that soon became the talk of the town and within days every bird and his wife descended on our garden.



Once we had attracted the birds to the garden I purchased a nesting log made from palm stem. It wasn't completely hollowed out because apparently it is best to keep everything as natural as possible. Armed with wire and pliers I climbed into the tree closest to the bedroom window and fixed the log so that Martin would be able to see it directly from the bed.


Coming back through the kitchen door I called out that it may be a few weeks before the birds become used to the log. Almost immediately, Martin answered, "Come and have a look! ".


I have goosebumps thinking about it even now for there perched on the log were two Black Collared Barbets and while we watched with mouths agape they started pecking the soft pith out from the centre of the log.


It took several weeks for them to hollow it out to their liking but eventually the Barbets were satisfied and they began to build a nest inside the log. They were in that tree, building, nesting, feeding and rearing young for the rest of Martin's treatment.

Our visitors all congregated in the bedroom to watch, mesmerized as the little Barbet family went about their business. We are convinced that they played a very important part in my husband's healing. What are the odds that a family of shy birds will take up residence in a tree only minutes after putting up the nesting log? I have given palm logs as gifts over the years and most people report that no bird will go near it for the first month, if ever. We experienced many synchronicities during the two years that my husband was ill and this is definitely one we will never forget.


See more of Geoffrey Gorman's work here and his blog here.



42 comments:

  1. Once again Blogger has reduced the size of my text. Sorry about that!

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  2. What a lovely story....

    ...they must have helped with his recovery :-)

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  3. Beautiful, beautiful story. And I came here just after navigating my way around the marvelous and moving 'Ashes and Snow' project by Gregory Colbert and it seems so very fitting.

    here's the link if you want to have a look!
    http://www.ashesandsnow.org/

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  4. There are more things in heaven and earth......Robyn. Beautiful bird sculptures.

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  5. Woke, thinking more on the Carl Sagan quote, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

    and here--Your beautiful story. A truly healing idea. Thank you for sharing it. (thanks Seth, too)

    Can't help but think, There you are climbing a tree again :) and more connections to wood.


    I always think bird song sort of re-starts a sloggy heart...like an electric pulse sent through space to waken and freshens us. (except for the baby heron heard screeching down the chimney one day--a sound so disconected from the elegance of that grown bird...)

    Love Gorman's work.

    ps. if one can't find the tool that makes a computer page increase or decrease; in Windows just hold Ctrl key down and tap + or - (to increase or decrease image or words)

    So glad your husband is well. Thanda.

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  6. Robyn, This post made me cry, so beautiful. I love birds and they are amazing and healing. So wonderful that your husband is okay. xoxo

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  7. What an amazing post and what a truly wonderful thing you did for your husband to help in his recovery. The sculptures that illustrate the post are magical too.

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  8. What a glorious gift to you both, with love from Mother Nature. Maybe it was a bird blessing, responding to the prayer of your efforts to erect the nesting log and the feeding platform. Goosebumps, yes indeed.

    Thanks for the indulgence into Geoffrey's work and a friendly wave hello to M!

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  9. We live magical lives and most days are unaware of all that is going on in and around us...rare moments awaken us to all that is.... Beautiful post Robyn.

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  10. I remembered the story, Robyn, it left such an impression, but not the images. I'm quite taken with his bird sculptures. Thanks for re-posting.

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  11. Robyn, I now understand why everyone raves about your blog. You share truly wonderful stories and images. It’s a joy to visit. And I know that it takes considerable time to put something like this together. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  12. what a beautifully moving story on many levels - symbolically and literally - just beautiful - thanks so much for sharing such special moments in the life of you and your loved one -

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  13. Yes, like Shayla, I remember you telling about this before, Robyn, and now I know you better I'm not at all surprised that your lovely gentle spirit attracted those birds with that log. They do say, 'build and they will come' so perhaps when you built with such a hopeful, open heart, the birds heard the message :)

    Wondful bird sculptures too!

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  14. A touching and uplifting story. Glad you reposted this or I'd have missed it. The bird sculptures are great!

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  15. wonderful story. and the images of the bird sculptures are beautiful.

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  16. Robyn' what a great story and such wonderful birds. funny how things connect. I just filled my hummingbird feeder, looked out and there was a tiny bright green (back) hummer sampling the fresh food. they must watch when you are doing things for them! sneaky little devils. In your case what a great bit of natural medicine for your sweetie!

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  17. What a gorgeous post! I love it when birds choose to come closer to us.

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  18. I am glad your beloved is well again. Your words speak of love, Robyn.

    Birds, any creatures, that come close to us do have the power to create delight and calm in us. I am sure they help with the healing process.

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  19. What a touching story you've generously shared with us, Robyn. I do believe birds are magical creatures, and it seems they certainly worked magic in this instance. The bird sculptures are simply magical, too!

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  20. Wonderful bird sculptures. Your story is just the best though. Obviously someone was watching over you and your husband.

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  21. what a wonderful story! a story about turning our minds and hearts toward to wonder in the world and how that world then comes to our side to help us heal! I love the part where you climbed the tree!

    And the birds shown here are amazing. Thanks for the the repost!

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  22. You are such a kind and caring person Robyn, I love what you did for your husband! No wonder the birds wanted to take up residence!

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  23. I am breathless with your story and these amazing bird sculptures. "God works in mysterious ways" so it is said...

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  24. Chris, it's become a habit, to watch the birds whenever anything is bothering us.

    A mermaid in the attic, thanks for the link. Gregory Colbert is quite extraordinary .... creating a bridge between art and nature.

    Weaver, Geoffrey Gorman's work is amazing isn't it?!

    Mansuetude, Lol... you are so right...climbing trees again! Thanks for the tip about increasing text size. Viola! As easy as that!

    Thanks Annie, we are having a particularly cold winter and our feeding tables are laden. We get such a kick out of watching the birds and knowing that they have found their way here to fuel up for the cold nights.

    Dyche Designs, I was so grateful for those little birds. It gave the whole family something positive to focus on.

    Leslie, a gift indeed. It helped me just as much as it helped M.

    Mary Ann, you are so right. At times we forget the simple wonders around us.

    Shayla, since you last read the post I edited it and added Gorman's wonderful images.

    Jeanie, thank you.

    Thanks Gypsywoman, glad you enjoyed the post.

    Wild C, you give me far too much credit :-) but thank you!

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  25. Jo, Seth always has such good ideas doesn't he?! I enjoyed your repost too.

    Rebeca, glad you enjoyed the post.

    Lyle, I've noticed the birds do seem to lie in wait which always makes me smile.

    Annie K, birds seem to have a way of appearing whenever one needs upliftment.

    HHnB, I'm convinced they help with the healing process. What would we do without our pets, always there to make us feel loved.

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  26. Sharmon, we were reminiscing about this just the other day and when Seth mentioned the Buried treasure I knew this would be the story i would repost.

    Lisa at G, we got the distinct feeling that we were being watched over throughout that time.

    ZenDotStudio, I seem to be doing a lot of tree climbing lately :-)

    Luckydip Lisa, it was something i needed to do for myself too.

    Creatology, yes indeed, exactly when we need it.

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  27. Oh, wow. What a wonderful story! I love me the birdies!

    Thank you for sharing such beautiful work. This is a GREAT treasure post!

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  28. love this post - wonderful story and delighted with the avian theme, being a magpie and all.

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  29. That's a great story. Also your bird creations are so cute.

    Very creative.

    Cassy from Acoustic Guitar Lessons

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  30. a great story and amazing images, a true treasure!

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  31. I love Gormans work too, but hadnt seen many of these bird sculptures...they are wonderful!

    There definately had to be some healing power from the birds. Thanks for sharing with us.

    Jacky xox

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  32. I have had the fortune to see Geoffrey Gorman's work in person, and it is fabulous for sure. And so we get the full measure of his work with the wonderful healing story of your husband's illness and the happy outcome.

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  33. So glad you selected this posting for Seth's Buried Treasure Collab. I love synchronistic and serendipitous events and think you've had both. What a moving story coupled with your husbands illness and return to better health. Thanks so much for this- the photos were wonderful as well! What an uplifting magical story.

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  34. Enjoyed the repost. I can see why you would use it. There is something magical about that log and your husband's recovery.

    Enjoyed the birds, to and went to Geoffrey Gorman's blog, too. This became a bonus blog tonight.

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  35. A perfect hidden treasure Robyn, special memories from difficult times, but with those moments of magic that just help lift us.

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  36. Stunning art. Breathtaking! Love it to bits! Just fabby!!!

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  37. Your birds are simply wonderful!

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  38. R - this post both lifted mynspirits and clutched my heart. Nature can offer such simple and powerful supports in such tryingbtimes, such small giftscand beauty andvcreativity that can just give hope and distraction. Thank you so much for sharing the story. I hopevthat all is well and that you and your husband can share such delights through the prism of health rather than the prism of health challenges. Go well. B

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  39. Such a tender and moving post. Your story is in that tree, outside that window and in your souls. Thanks for sharing it again. roxanne

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  40. Absolutely fascinating post! These bird sculptures are incredible. Love all the pieces you've shown!
    Thanks for sharing, Robyn!

    Gaby xo

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  41. Looking for Gorman's sculptures, I came across this post again. I love this story and I am so glad M is well and fine!

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  42. What a wonderful story.... thank you for sharing.

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