Safe Landing

Spring is slowing making its presence known in Minnesota. This means there are starting to be more days with above-freezing temperatures than below. The ice on lakes and ponds is beginning to melt, and open areas are forming. This early part of spring also starts bird migration.

Believe it or not, excluding muddy paws, I like this time of year here—spring holds so much promise.

During my early morning walks this week, I have seen and heard flocks of geese, Canada and Snow, flying in large flocks overhead. As I was walking my neighborhood route yesterday, a flock of about 20 Canada geese slowly descended toward the ponds we were walking by. The flock did not continue its descent because there was insufficient open water in which to land. Birds instinctively know they cannot land safely on the rotting, unstable ice that still covers most of the pond.

However, there was a single goose that had not been part of the large flock. This one circled, descended, and safely landed in an open area that already held a handful of ducks.

Have I told you I love birds and nature? If I haven’t, you probably figured that out since I frequently use them as metaphors or prompts in my blog 😊

Safe landing.

The large flock could not land safely on the pond. The single goose could.

This made me contemplate what makes a safe landing and the importance of having a safe place to land.

Not just birds but you and me.

I envision the comfort waiting for you after a long and/or challenging day by having a place in your home you can settle into to unwind and relax. Or a location outside of home, like a park, church, or coffee shop, where you feel at ease. Or the enjoyment of meeting up with a friend for conversation and a favorite activity.

The wonderful thing about this is there isn’t only one. A safe landing is wherever, with whomever, and whatever provides your mind, body, and soul with comfort, respite, and shelter from life’s storms.

Since I have moved around a lot in the last 5 years, I understand the importance of having a safe landing and what is needed to create one. Whether it is tucked into a favorite chair, drinking a mug of tea while reading a good book, snuggling or playing with Sunni, or spending time with my family, a safe landing centers me regardless of what life throws at me.

My friend, just like warmer temperatures are melting more ice, creating more open water for the safe landing of water birds, I hope you, too, already have and will create spaces for your safe landing 💙