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Holy Toledo

A Penny for My Thoughts


I believe my father came for a visit yesterday. Now if I tell you he passed away many years ago will you think less of me?

Glancing out of my window, I was quite surprised to see a large eagle balancing on a rather thin branch. Oh, it was an eagle...I'm sure of that. His head was white with brown speckles, as were his massive wings. A pale yellow breast and bright yellow legs completed his primary coloring. His familiar-shaped head twitched in fits and starts. The narrow branch rocked back and forth, yet he seemed to be balanced and at ease on this pendulum.

Now, I don't know why, but I whispered, "Dad?"  I startled myself with this utterance and thought, "Holy Toledo, what is wrong with me?"  Certainly not one for ghosts and never having had any type of spiritual awakening, I felt my heart pounding as I contemplated this occurrence Why in the world was I staring at an eagle in my Connecticut condo complex? Why had my Dad come to mind? And, how was this large creature secure on such a twig?

My dad was a special man. (I'll leave it at that.) I miss him terribly, and the holidays are difficult without him. I see him carving the turkey, laughing and winging pieces as he gestured with knife in hand. I see him leaving for the choir, clad in his red and white robe, handsome as always and looking forward to midnight Mass. Was my subconscious triggered somehow, or is there validity in the stories of people being nurtured by their beloved great aunt formed in a Monarch butterfly flitting in a garden? I suppose it really doesn't matter. 


So, Happy Thanksgiving Dad, and Merry Christmas to you.

Stop by anytime.

 

[I did a rather exhausting search for this particular bird and found nothing that fit.]

Vicki Flint November 30, 2012 at 10:25 pm
What a wonderful article. It gave me goose-bumps. Years ago, my younger brother who is now diseased, gave me a plaque with an eagle on it and this quote:
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles." Isiah 40:31 Every time I see a hawk soaring (I've never had the honor of seeing an eagle) I think of my brother Johnny. Oh how I long for the day when I too see an eagle, and can say, "Hello Johnny!"
Kathleen Gemmell December 1, 2012 at 03:57 pm
I'm still curious as to the type of bird I saw. Does anyone recognize this raptor from my brief description ?
Steven DeVaux December 2, 2012 at 01:30 am
Sounds like an American Golden eagle. Go to the top of the Lake Lillanonah dam and there is an eagle viewing station there. They fish both lakes as any fisherman will tell you. They roost in the tops of dead pine trees along both lakes, really high up. They are great at grabbing up the large carp in the lake and wonderful to watch while fishing.
...
Kathleen Gemmell December 2, 2012 at 02:11 am
Thank you Steve...magnificent creatures! I will look into the viewing station as I'd love to see others.

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