|
|
#1
21st December 2006, 10:56 AM
|
||||
|
||||
A Pigeon Memory...When I was about 5 or 6, my Mother took me on a bus trip to NYC for the first time. It was early December, and a light, fluffy snow lay on the ground. Mom had planned our itinerary in advance: The Christmas displays in the big department stores, FAO Schwartz, a bit of shopping, and the Natural History Museum, among other touristy attractions.
The funny thing is, my fondest and most vivid memory of this trip is not the fantastic Christmas displays or the gigantic toy store, or the amazing dinosaur display, but ...the pigeons! When we got to the museum - which I had been looking forward to with excitement all day - we stopped for a moment to buy soft pretzels. Suddenly it dawned on me that there was this HUGE flock of beautiful birds right on the sidewalk.They had shiny feathers, and they hopped, flapped, & pecked - not the least bit afraid of the crowds of people walking by. I was fascinated, and I couldn't believe that all of the people just kept walking - not even seeming to notice these lovely creatures! My mind swam with questions: Where did they come from? Why weren't they bothered by the cold? Where did they sleep at night? How did their feathers get so shiny? Can I pet them? Why doesn't anyone else seem to notice how beautiful they are? I asked my Mother if we could stay outside a few more minutes so I could observe them. Noting that they seemed to like eating crumbs, I broke my pretzel into little pieces and tossed them to the flock. It delighted me to see them scramble to chow down the tiny morsels and before I knew it I'd given my entire pretzel to the birds. I asked my Mother for another pretzel, but she said with a mild annoyance "You'll just feed it to those birds!" We compromised and went to a corner store where she purchased a small loaf of bread. Now oblivious to the cold, I stood in front of the museum feeding my new friends for at least another half hour. Mom stood by patiently, but at a certain point she reminded me that I'd been wanting to see the dinosaurs all day and might not get to see them if we stood outside much longer. Reluctantly, I followed her inside - waving goodbye to my feathery friends. To this day, the memory of those pigeons fills me with a sense of wonder. And even though my Mom picks on me, saying, "I took you to see all the sights of the Big Apple, but the only thing you wanted to do was feed the pigeons," I am thankful that she had the heart to let me watch them just a little longer. 
|
|
#2
21st December 2006, 12:05 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hi Karen,
That was an absolutely wonderful story. After reading it, I am thankful that you in your young age had the sensitivity to understand how lovely and wonderous pigeons are and what remarkable questions you asked yourself. Thank you for being one of us and sharing your story. You are a Blessing to our feral flocks.
|
|
#3
21st December 2006, 01:30 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Karen, that was a beautiful story.
__________________
Maggie
|
|
#4
21st December 2006, 01:32 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Karen, That was a most beautiful story and so well written, It places the reader right there with you. I am glad your mother had the patience to allow you the opportunity to feed the ferals. It seems it was love at first sight with you and the pigeons. It made a good memory. I know you love these unique creatures, as it shows in your pictures you posted earlier.Thank you for sharing the lovely story with us.
|
|
#7
21st December 2006, 03:10 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Thank you for sharing your 'Pigeon Memory' with us.
 It was wonderful. Cindy
__________________
A Pigeon's Prayer  Please watch over us while we fly, keeping us safe from the predators that share the sky. If we become ill or injured in any way, Please lead us to safety where we are welcome to stay. Cindy Boyce
|
|
#9
21st December 2006, 08:58 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hi Karen,
That was a very nice memory you shared of your early encounters with pigeons and one eerily similar to one of mine One of my earliest memories involving feral pigeons was when I was around the same age you were in your story, it was also winter and in the mid 70's. Our family had just finished viewing the King Tut exhibition at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) and when we got out, there were pigeons all over the sidewalk mulling around in the snow. They were hanging around looking for handouts or spillage from the vendors outside the museum selling food. I remember thinking the same things you did, or nearly the same things. There was also something about the pigeons in the snow for me that sticks out in my mind. Although I didn't end up feeding the pigeons at this time, I kept my parents hanging around outside the museum in the snow longer than they wanted to  Thanks for sharing this beautiful memory
|
|
#10
22nd December 2006, 01:46 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
What a wonderful story memory, Karen!
I felt myself there with you too! Thank you so much for posting. That kind of story is so welcomed, especially around this time of year! HAVE A MOST JOYFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!! Love and Hugs from Mr. Squeaks & Shi 
|
|
#11
22nd December 2006, 07:18 PM
|
||||
|
||||
Descendants Ofhi KAREN, You went to NYC to see dinosaurs bone, but did you know that the birds you were feeding are the living descendants of the dinosaurs so infact your saw living dinosaurs and you even got to feed dinosaurs that day. Your story is very moving, in todays world people don't stop to smell the roses or feed the birds I think it would be a much better world if they did.
.GEORGE
|
Linear Mode
