Did you catch a bird today?

We sat in the room, a casual meeting. Abd while we followed the typical format for a Refuge meeting, we had a great discussion. Smaller groups build confidence and allow others to share for longer periods of time. It also allows constructive cross talk. Our meeting ran later than the scheduled time. It was okay though.

While opening the meeting for discussion, I shared an experience I had earluer in the day. I work as a maintenance technician for an apartment complex. I love what I do. I will work in mental health and recovery someday, but for now….I am paying my bills.

I got a call from my supervisor that he needed me at a unit “immediately”. I asked what was wrong and he said there was a bird in the basement and he needed help catching it. He wanted ME (the new guy) to help him. I immediately knew….it was a bat.

When I arrived, I expected to see my supervisor batting at the air like the opening sequence of Hitchcocks “The Birds”. I was disappointed to see that my boss was simply running back and forth attempting to toss a jacet over the bird.

When I got ready to walk in, my coworker informed me it was huge….it was an eagle. Holy shit! Really? Upon first glance….it is a sparrow. A small brow bird, scared to death. Flying from corner to corner of the basement…diligently avoiding the humans. It eventually flew behind the boiler and snuck under the water heater.

I nabbed the tail feathers sticking out, and put the bird in the palm of my hand. It was a surreal moment. I have never heald a wild animal that was not in captivity. Never held any bird other than someones pet. My palm remained open as I walked up the stairs. I walked outside petting the bird. I was amazed by the experience. About how amazing it was that it didnt fly away.

I never closed my hand around the bird. I lowered my hand to the ground and the bird flew away. The thought of harming the bird never crossed my mind. It was a beautiful moment for me, surreal, enlightening….wonderful.

My day was positive the remainder of the day. Thanks to the bird. An experience unlike any other. So tell me, did you catch a bird today?