[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/afde0992-d968-4a18-9f6c-e26dab6c2540/de1v6q6-e48dcb0d-da1d-48e2-bcb0-104b6075fdcc.jpg/v1/fill/w_1280,h_1057,q_75,strp/birds_by_cerealnovels_de1v6q6-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3siaGVpZ2h0IjoiPD0xMDU3IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvYWZkZTA5OTItZDk2OC00YTE4LTlmNmMtZTI2ZGFiNmMyNTQwXC9kZTF2NnE2LWU0OGRjYjBkLWRhMWQtNDhlMi1iY2IwLTEwNGI2MDc1ZmRjYy5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.seCWrSh-s86uBCYkgzTqU5uFXtqtvfhE745SPnTxFtU]

On a cloudy day last fall, a group of young sparrows crackled through the sweet gum tree leaves searching for food. They were so small. My mom and I were on the porch of the nursing home where she lives. Mama has always drawn my eyes to the bird in the hedge, the tiny lizard on the leaf and the insect on the ground. Both of my parents have appreciated nature and the miracle of small things. I am grateful that I have not gone through life unaware of the other lives all around me. My dad was a science teacher and I was introduced to so many different creatures and creations. His classroom was holy ground to me. This reverence for life is one of the most precious gifts my parents have instilled in me. If I pay attention I will find a miracle every day. Thank you Mama, thank you Daddy.

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