Just A Bird!

[Honesty]

I found this and thought how very true it is, so thought I would share it here! I am pretty sure most of us here feel this way :)

Just a Bird

From time to time, people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a bird,"
or, "That's a lot of money for just a bird."
They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the
costs involved for "just a bird."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a bird."
Many hours have passed when my only company was "just a bird," but I
did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a bird,"
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a bird"
gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a bird," then you will probably
understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a
promise."
"Just a bird", brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a bird", brings out the compassion and patience that make me a
better person.
Because of "just a bird", I will rise early, and look longingly to
the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a bird" but an
embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future; the fond
memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a bird" brings out what's good in me, and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a bird,"
but the thing that keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a bird." just smile,
because they...
...."just don't understand."

We do.... :-)

[Debra]

I've read this before and still find it to be so true! People don't understand the relationships between a bird and it's person. There's no other relationship like it. I'm thankful I know and understand "just a bird".

[Honesty]

Touche Debra :)

[kendrafitz]

What a great post!

I think it is one of those things like kids. You have no way of understanding just how much love and how strong the relationship will be until you experience it yourself. :)

[Mare]

I love it! Thanks, Wendy, I've not seen that before and it sure hits home :)

[Turquoise]

I've seen it someplace before. I remember reading it and thinking about what my friend at work said once about my animals. She said that very thing, but I still love her.

My birds as well as all my animals have kept me grounded. They are what keeps me alive, what keeps me trudging to work knowing I must buy more food and toys and to do that I must work. Most of my life my animals were my only friend. If not for them my life would have had no meaning. No reason to keep living. Yes, it's just a bird, just a dog, just a snake, just a fish to those who don't care about anyone but themselves. They are just my life, they keep me grounded, they give me a reason to live!

[coltfire]

with out my birds i would not be here, it was like the other day when my mother turned around and said why are you spending $5 on strawberries for your birds they are just birds, i went off.

[Honesty]

Yes, I think this particular one hits home with most of us!

[PlaxMacaws]

I've read this somewhere before, too. The "it's just a bird" comment denotes an all-too-common attitude shared by people who are usually self-absorbed and narcissistic. These individuals have little to no empathy for animals. And I've found that most folks who are incapable of empathizing with animals are as well incapable of genuinely empathizing with fellow humans. Such empathy-challenged folks may occasionally 'put on an act' to appeal to the expectations of those who truly do feel empathy for others... but they typically can't feel much concern for anyone other than themselves. On some level, they tend to believe that the universe is here for them alone. They view suffering experienced by others as irrelevant because it's not their own. They as well tend to view any feelings of compassion in others as a weakness. I absolutely cannot have friends of this mindset!

It is never "just a bird"! It is always a sentient, intelligent, and most amazing living being! It is always a special and unique individual who so deserves to be considered (and treated as) a cherished family member! Simply stated, I have a problem with anyone who thinks otherwise.