Friends...all shapes and sizes

   For the past week, an osprey has been hanging about the yard.  It usually came to roost on a low limb of a pine tree that grows near the shore end of the pier.  As I make a dozen or so trips to the pier each day, I have made it a habit to speak to the bird.  He would cock his head to one side as if trying to understand my "strange" language.  Not once did the osprey act startled or afraid of my approach.  In fact, I was beginning to think he looked forward to our interaction just as I did.  Perhaps, birds and humans are not that much different as we both crave attention from where it comes.  If I was to linger long between visits, his high-pitched screeches could be heard echoing up the hillside.  Was he calling me?

  This daily routine has been a pleasant break from the chore-load that I have been having since both guys of the household (husband and son) were laid-up.  My first interaction with the osprey was when I was cutting firewood.  The bird came to the pine tree and watched the entire time as I cut, loaded and then hauled the firewood up the hillside.  For seven days, he came.  It was like clockwork.  I would head to the pier at 4am with my mug of coffee and he would be there.  Off and on during the day, I could depend on his presence so much so that I started venting to the bird about the heavy load I was bearing.  He seemed to care...or perhaps, I was hoping someone did and the bird was a handy listener. 

  Today, my friend did not come.  The limb sat empty.  It was a bit saddening and I felt a certain loneliness come across me.  Maybe the inclement weather had something to do with his absence...maybe he found a new friend who was more interesting.  Whichever...I am purely grateful that he was there when I needed him the most and I wish him well.  Friends come in all shapes and sizes.  Mine, at the moment, was in the form of a bird.