June 16, 2010 · 9:45 pm
The doves that live in our yard are definitely a couple, which is one of the reasons I love having them here. They have a soft and comfortable cooing that sounds at the nicest times, like when I am quietly reading on my favorite green sofa with the sliding door open to the breeze, or when I arrive home, tired from my noise infused day, plopping down in a canvas deck chair, staring into space or as I float in the pool and look up and see the pair sitting on a tree branch, looking down unafraid.
Doves are sweet in their predictable behavior, and it is a sweetness that is comforting, reminding me of what is important in life. I have a reminder posted on my refrigerator stating the three essentials in life: something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. Doves have this and of course they are living in the moment but what are they hoping for? A life of safety, simplicity with a desire for security?
Today our adorable, family dog caught a bird that had been dive-bombing him. Was it one of my doves? My heart was aching for the bird and shocked at my normally friendly dog and the scene was unfolding before me. I yelled, screamed “no” but nature and instinct took over and the bird was dead. My dove! As I sat, mourning my loss, an ache in my heart, I heard the familiar cooing song! I looked up to the top of the pergola and there sat a dove. Sadly I realized, looking for its partner. Oh, this is heart wrenching, don’t they mate for life? What will that sweet dove do without a partner? When suddenly I heard the answer to the doves call…its mate was alive!
I don’t know who the other unfortunate bird was, but a wave of relief swept over me as I realized my friends were fine, sitting together at sunset and somehow I think they flew over to let me know they were all right. Doves mate for life I think, and they build a nest, prepare for their young, raise a family and then, in their empty nest, they are together, occasionally flying in for a cool drink and a calm sunset.
BetweenTheWords 