We have a new cockatiel. "Abigail Alexandra Mills." Abby for short. Hubs thought our remaining cockatiel Lucy, was lonely and needed a new friend.
We’d discussed it several times and I thought we agreed that Lucy was happy being Queen of the Cage. Cockatiels are pretty piercing when they vocalize, and the mere thought of having two of them going at it while I’m trying to write was enough to get a migraine started.
This past Saturday I was at the beauty salon getting highlights when the idea to hunt for a new bird hatched in my Hubby’s head.
He found her at the flea market.
The proprietor of the booth assured my husband that the little bird was not only weaned but at least four months old.
Either the man wasn’t entirely truthful, or didn’t know much about birds.
When I came home and realized that a unilateral decision and had been made to add a member to our family in spite of our earlier agreement, I was pretty ticked.
Then I saw her.
Her piteous hunger cries and lack of interest in bird seed made it clear that she was far younger than her reported four months, and wasn’t able to eat solid food. She was thin and obviously hadn’t been fed enough.
Until now.
She's been gobbling formula out of a syringe with the fervor of teenage boy after football practice. It’s a delight to see her eat.
Lucy was perturbed and territorial at first. After all she was giving up sole ownership of her Daddy as well as her cage full of toys, now forced to share with an interloper. But after a few days she’s warming up to her new sister.
Tonight after her evening feeding, Abby’s crop was full of nourishment and she settled in for an hour long nap. Cuddling in my hand, I rubbed the back of her neck where her feathers are still coming in while her head rested against my chest. Every now and then she'd emit a soft "cheep. As I stroked her little crown and pin feathers, I couldn't for the life of me remember what I was mad about the day she came to live with us.
I believe that God sent my tender hearted Hubs tothe flea market to fall in love with and save a very special member of His Kingdom.
Since Abby came, I’m required to sit down for an entire hour each evening to do something good for both bird and mom. Instead of running from task to task, I comfort and nurture her after she eats, and in exchange she does the same for me. It’s amazing how holding a tiny, dozing life against my heart can be so calming, so healing.
Maybe that’s how God feels when we are dependent on Him.
Do we ever really know what’s best for us?
Perhaps not.
What a relief to know that God does.
