One day last month Jacob and Isaac bounded in from outside with a shriek: "We found a baby bird!!" The day-old sparrow had fallen from its nest and it was impossible to return him. A quick google search revealed basic baby sparrow care, and the boys fed him moistened cat food on the tip of a blunt toothpick and kept him warm while I frantically looked up "Wildlife Rehabilitation" in the phone book. With Grandma's help, we found a baby bird rescue facility across town and rushed the bird over there. We held our breath during the long drive, and the children said a prayer that he would live. He did.
If you know Jacob, you know he is passionate about birds. He has read every single book in our library on the subject, some multiple times. He can tell you the physical description, nesting habits, flight patterns, and migration routes of any bird you can think of. He sketches birds. He writes about birds. He lives and breathes birds. And it has been a tremendously good thing for him.
Rescuing this baby sparrow was a highlight of his life so far. He said so himself. In that afternoon, I watched him grow in faith, humility, self-confidence, and empathy. I watched him treasure this little life and rejoice when it was spared. That may sound a little overdramatic, but I assure you it was a precious and sacred experience.
In my prayers that night, I thanked Heavenly Father for putting that little sparrow in the path of my son. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.... Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29, 31)
{When I originally wrote this post, it was going to end here. But then...}
A few days later, the boys came home with two new sparrows. At least this time we knew what to do. Another bowl of moistened cat food, and another trip to the bird rescue facility.
On a Friday night, the boys returned from the nature park with yet another baby sparrow. This one was a fledgling, a few days shy of being independent. He spent the night in a makeshift birdcage in our garage, then made the trip across town with Dad the next morning.
I have learned a great deal from these little sparrows: the need to slow down and accommodate a child's wonder, the worth of a soul, the constant care of a Father who knows each of us personally.
"He who notes the fall of a sparrow surely hears the pleadings of our hearts."
- President Thomas S. Monson
All has been quiet on the bird front for the last several days. Apparently most of the local sparrows have fledged and left the nest. This experience has been marvelous, but I must admit I was glad to stop making unexpected 2-hour trips every few days. With sparrow season over, we've settled into a relaxed summer routine.
Until a couple days ago, when Jacob brought home a baby redwinged blackbird....
