Pigeon

I’m guilty. I’m guilty as fuck. Last night, I was skimming though social media, and I came across an article. It was about an old man who ended up in the hospital. He was pretty much unresponsive. For 23 days, he spent most of his time sleeping. After a few days, a nurse noticed that a pigeon had flown in the window and was sitting on the sleeping man. She didn’t think much at first. Then over the course of the next couple of days, she noticed that every other day or so, the pigeon would come back at?the same time and land on the sleeping man... and just sit. This went on for a few weeks. One day the nurse took a picture of the pigeon sitting on the man and posted it online. She later found out that the man who was sleeping, would go to the park around the corner every day, and feed the pigeons. I know, hard to believe. But here’s the thing. They grew dependent upon each other.?They formed a relationship. The man who did not receive one visitor, was getting a visit from the very pigeons he was feeding. Sounds crazy,?but true. And it is beautiful.

?How many of us don’t take the time to reach out to those who may be in need? All those people who helped to form us along the way, we somehow let go. As I started this article, I too am guilty of this. As I've gotten older, I have gotten better. Still, I know I need to work on this. And this article really touched me. It touched me because I have seen far too many people die alone. Far too may in need, fend for themselves. This “me” culture that we live in...?well, we?need to break that door down and make it a “we”?culture.

You marry the one you want to spend all day Saturday?with.

?Some would argue that it takes a village. I would say, take care of your circle. If we all did that, it would be a game changer. There is a saying that you don’t marry the one you want to spend Friday night with. You marry the one you want to spend all day Saturday?with. In the same sense, if you really want to know who cares for you, wait until you lose a loved one. At the funeral it’s all prayers and love. A week later, well….crickets. And there you have it. Those who reach out weeks after the funeral, those are your people. Those are the people who deserve a seat at your table. It’s not that the others are bad, it’s just now you know who the players are.

?So, I end with this. Love your tribe. Like the pigeon, make time for those who feed you…metaphorically speaking. We all will be in need at some point or another. But don’t do this for that reason. Do it because we should pour into people who pour into us. Because that's what love is.?I looked up?some facts on pigeons, because I wanted to close this article strong. Pigeons get stressed when they are alone. Truth be told, I think many people do as well. All you have to do is look to social?media, and you will see so many people looking for attention, validation?and love. So be the pigeon. Once you find your people. Make sure they can find you...