Snowy Owl
by Waynonaha Two Worlds
Early one winter morning I was driving along Forest Avenue on my way to work in Portland, Maine. I was admiring the sky and watching the clouds drift along toward the ocean.
This was always a wonderful, peaceful sight in the morning, a time for letting go of the morning stress, and clearing the mind.
Just before you enter the city, there is a large overpass. This is usually full of ice and snow like a welcome doorway. On this cold morning, as I drove to work, I looked up to watch a flock of geese that came seeking refuge from the winter cold. The pink clouds in the background of drifting chimney smoke filled my heart for the hours ahead.
It was my morning habit to fill all that I could with good thoughts because I knew the rest of the day may hold death and pain. A hospital is not an easy place to work when your heart is not able to shut off emotions and compassion for others’ pain and loss.
I looked up on this wonderful morning and there, on the overpass, sat a snowy owl watching the traffic. I had to look quick to realize what I had seen; it was not an illusion.
I stopped as soon as I could and proceeded to turn my little Blazer around to go back and look once more. It took me some time to find a break in the traffic that was getting heavy so close to the city. I got back on the road and returned to the underpass, where I parked near a small convenience store.
I stopped and got out to look again at the overpass. Sure enough, I was not mistaken, there it was. On that snow-covered overpass sat a very large snowy owl, it was magnificent.
Like some royal ruler of a winter kingdom, it sat and watched its frozen domain. This was truly an answer to what had just been on my mind that morning. My mind had been contemplating the reason to life and all the everyday cares that we must pass through to live and be happy.
I hold this in my heart and mind for the times when I feel so lost and alone. I will always know that the Creator is with us, if we but see the small wonders and signs sent to show us we are never alone. The snowy owl sat on that overpass for a few weeks before it decided to leave for better hunting. The Portland newspapers ran an article on it, but only as a local interest story. The true meaning of the owl was never revealed to the unknowing public. Perhaps it was not important for this to happen as we each see things in our own way and we hold that thought in our hearts forever.
Love Waynonaha
