DSC_0108left (Medium)2s

 

A bird, whether it is tied down by a thread or a chain, still cannot fly.

St. John of the Cross


There are days I feel I'm a bird, hopping around on a branch, aching to take to the sky chasing the delectable dreams I see darting around, just out of my reach… But there's something holding me back, tethering me to that branch.

There are days I wonder if perhaps nothing is tying me down after all – I'm just afraid to let go, to leave the safety of the branch, to take that first leap.

There are days I wonder if I've been flying all along, but I've just been too nervous or preoccupied or too busy looking ahead to take a look around, relax, enjoy the scenery and notice how high I've actually flown.

What about you?

******************************************************

Something happened this week to make me think that even if I'm not actually flying yet, I've at least moved up higher in the tree.

Wolf Pascoe, who chronicles his fatherhood adventures at Just Add Father, honored me yesterday by using a few of my photographs, including the one above, to complement "Number My Days," a very moving post about life, death and fatherhood.

Wolf isn't his real name, by the way. He uses a pen name to protect his family's privacy. (I'm sure my kids wish I'd done the same!)

He also writes about his job under his pen name – he's a doctor. But he's also a published poet/playwright under his real name (whatever that is!)

I can't remember how we bumped into each other in the blogosphere, but even though it would appear we don't have much in common, we've connected through our words and stories. I encourage you to hop over there – he's a very gifted writer!

Thank you, Wolf!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in , , , , , ,

15 responses to “On Flying…or Not”

  1. beth Avatar

    thanks for the link….and yep, i’m that bird too…..unsettled a bit.

    Like

  2. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Unsettled is a good word for it. I was also thinking of 'antsy'… but it didn't really go with birds and flying 🙂

    Like

  3. Lady Fi Avatar

    I think we can all recognize ourselves in that bird – sometimes afraid to leave the branch, sometimes soaring high.
    Wonderful photo!

    Like

  4. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Fi! It makes me feel good to know even you feel this way sometimes!

    Like

  5. lisleman Avatar

    tree? we the bloggers are in tree? monkeys in a tree?
    That image is better than on the edge of a cliff or lost in a cave.
    Very cool/nice/super/awesome/worth-drinking-to/ having your picture connection with another blogger.

    Like

  6. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Now lisleman, I didn't say ALL bloggers were up in a tree and I never mentioned monkeys!

    Like

  7. calvertgina Avatar

    Barbara, every corner (problem) I come around lately brings me face to face with the idea that the only thing holding me back is myself.
    I love the name of Shania Twain’s new show: Why not?
    Indeed, why not?
    Great picture and congrats on its acclaim!

    Like

  8. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Barbara,
    It makes my heart glad that my asking for your photographs did something for you.
    Your spirit is in your pictures, and it soars just like this bird–if only we could see ourselves as others see us!
    From the Chinese: S/he who obtains has little, s/he who scatters has much.
    All blessings,
    Wolf

    Like

  9. Gail Avatar

    What an honor! These are all amazing photos in their own right but I especially love the one of the wildflowers beyond the country fence. I’ll have to check out more of Wolf’s blog also!

    Like

  10. walker Avatar

    Thanks for being so willing to share…it benefits us all, as we find a little of ourselves in the story. I’m happy to have found Wolf as well.

    Like

  11. Jillsy Girl Avatar

    That’s wonderful…Congratulations!

    Like

  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I love that quote! Thanks again, Wolf!

    Like

  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Gina! Just when I feel like I've released myself to take flight, it seems something else latches on to hold me back. sigh.

    Like

  14. Juana Avatar

    Well… I am certainly not flying anywhere. Not yet.
    I will check out Wolf.
    Beautiful photo!!!

    Like

Leave a comment