“We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter’s evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light, which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.”
Woodrow T. Wilson
A friend recently asked me if there were any Christmas Critters I was going to write about. I answered her rather flippantly that I didn’t have any unusual visitors…just the regular gang of deer, rabbits, squirrels, and various birds….so no nothing exciting to recount for the blog. But her question got me to thinking about one of my visitors, the bluebirds. I’ve written about bluebirds often in my posts.
They are becoming regulars now, but were not in years past. While my bluebirds visit every year and raise a brood a two, they were occasional visitors in the garden from fall through winter. This fall and winter we see them daily. There is a group of about 5 or 6 that come and stay for a while in the old ash tree that is missing its top. It is their favorite perch. And while they are here, they check out their favorite house, and guard it against anyone who might like to make it their home.
Besides being our state bird, they are a favorite of mine especially because they bring up happy memories of my childhood. I never recall seeing any as a child except in pictures, but I was a Camp Fire Girl (CFG) when I was growing up in Northern Indiana. The first group you join before you become a CFG is the Bluebirds (much like the Brownies before becoming a Girl Scout). I loved being a Bluebird. The whole idea of being a bird intrigued me. And the time spent with childhood friends learning about our local history, and the nature around us was a treasured time for me.
So when I see bluebirds now I am reminded of joyful times. Folklore has it that when a bluebird shows up it should first remind you to take time to enjoy yourself. It isn’t hard for me to do this as they seem to just bring enjoyment so easily. And now they seem to bring something more when I see them. For me they also signify hope….hope in the future, hope that everything indeed will be OK.
I recently ran across this beautiful quote about hope:
Hope is the last thing ever lost. Italian Proverb
Hope says to me that we not shut the door…hope sustains us as we work toward our goals and we hit roadblocks. Hope is looking forward to the promise of wishes and desires to come. It is having faith and trusting that we will have everything we need when we need it.
And for me, believing these things is also the essence of Christmas. It is a perfect time to rekindle our dreams, and continue to 
hope for a better today and tomorrow. Truly believing all that Christmas can hold sustains me.
As I have been journeying toward and following the light of each day, I have noticed how important nature has been to me. Each day I see the sun rise and set, I am filled with joy….the colors of the sky giving me a sense of childhood wonder. It inspires me to paint my own skies someday. It brings out my creative spirit and the awe around me in the world….giving gratitude for these blissful moments.
And even on those gloomy gray days especially in winter, I know the sun is shining warm glowing rays at this moment just above me. Just like at night time, the sun is always shining somewhere in the world and will return in but a few hours. I believe my own light is shining even when I try to hide it or feel a bit gloomy. It is shining beneath me deep in my soul just waiting for the right moment to break free again. It can’t be stopped you know. It will shine forth…this I trust in, I know, I believe. Just like the sun shining each dawn, it will shine bright again when the clouds fade away.
And so I leave you on the eve of Christmas with joyful hopes for the season and coming New Year. I hope nature will inspire you to enjoy yourself and see the wonders around you even on a those gray days. I wish each and every one of you, the Merriest of Christmases, the Happiest of Holidays and dreams coming true in the New Year!!
Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas. ~Dale Evans
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Next up on the blog:
At the end of this week I will have the last Wildflower Tale of the year. As the New Year dawns next Monday, I will unveil some new series and even a new look on the blog. Lots of news to share….
I hope you will join me for my posts once a month at Beautiful Wildlife Garden. See my latest post.
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