My youngest daughter sent this message: "I found a baby bird and Spike tried to eat him. He can't fly." Spike is our really scary (not really) Cocker Bichon. The only thing scary about Spike are his googly eyes; I think he was dropped as a pup. ;-) Anyway, baby birds are part of being a mom. They fall or are kicked out of nests. Your children find them and want to save them. We, as parents, wish it were possible but we know the survival rate of baby birds that can't fly - it is very low.

A later text message said that the bird had barricaded himself under the lawnmower. Afraid that the baby bird might be injured by the mower blades if she moved it, my daughter left him, hoping for the best. Past experiences with my older daughters have included: trying to return the bird to its nest (never works), keeping the bird in a box - trying to help it survive (never works either), calling animal control (they don't care) and just releasing the bird or other such animal at the park (we also tried to save a baby squirrel once.)

Like the others that came before, the fate of our latest attempt at saving the animal kingdom failed.  It hurt no less than previous tries - as each child has had to find out for themselves, the hard way. My kids have learned that life is usually unfair, that the cards are favorably stacked for the big, bad world, that sometimes it just doesn't matter how hard you try or want something, and that life - our life - is pretty sweet. Success in work and life is usually an uphill battle.

We face survival of the fittest every day. Inflated egos and failed businesses line our days. How you choose to survive a fall is solely dependent upon you. There are those around that may attempt to assist but if you are incapable of fully standing on your own, there is little chance for enduring to a fruitful end. That doesn't mean it's impossible - I've been put back in my nest a couple times. The actual ability to survive must be coupled with the will.  An iron will.

©by rayannethorn

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