I guess she’s really gone…

Just a little warning about this post, if you are feeling sensitive to “empty nest syndrome”, this may make you a little misty, but, maybe not.

Every year lately, in the Spring, a very skittish robin has come to our courtyard and built a nest. This year, as in years past, she finally found the right spot and built a beautiful and sturdy nest in which to raise her family.

He’s quite handsome, and I am honored that he and his mate have been nesting in our front yard for a few years. But he is very noisy, and not very nice to others (he won’t even sit still for a photograph).

So, now that the days have been cooler, and I haven’t seen her in ages, I finally decided to take down the nest…and what a beautiful sight I found.

When our robin left, she left behind the most exquisite creation.

I must say, Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me — look at the colors she’s combined for the robin’s nest.

Wouldn’t this palette be beautiful in a room — robin’s egg blue walls and brown-grey trim with a few moss green accents?

I have been marveling at the devotion and dedication it took to seek out all of these small pieces to layer and smooth into a proper dwelling.

In years past, I’ve watched her come and go, skittish and uncertain, until she finally found the right setting and built a complete nest.

After the nest was finished, she would sit patiently, nervously, as we come and went beneath her.

Then there would be the day when we would start hearing a muffled chirping sound.

I’ve seen how hard she would work to feed her little ones, coming and going from early morning to twilight.  Each day their hungry chirps would grow louder and more demanding as they sensed her arrival.

Usually, I’d find a bit of a mess, and an empty nest left behind, a beautiful gift on it’s own.

I’m not quite sure how to cherish all of this.