Sandra Holmes

Living With A Greenfinch Sandra Holmes

This is not a book about birds, or wildlife. This is a story about a tiny fledgling that came into my life one stormy August morning. I nearly stood on the small, featherless, object, so very ugly. The ever so slight fluttering caused me to hover my foot above it. Therefore, saving it from instant death. Over the next twelve years this small bird shared my bedroom and my life. Such a tiny creature was able to fill such a large hole in my life. We went on holidays together, shared life's ups and downs, and all the other trauma that sometimes goes hand in hand with daily living. It is after all what being human is all about. Travelling through life not knowing which direction to take, and often as in my case, taking the wrong path and ending up with sadness. With my little companion by my side, I was able to pick myself up, gather my thoughts, keep my emotions in check, and carry on. My travels took me north of the UK and to Dubai. I found myself alone in a snow storm on the M1, with unwanted gifts beside me. This little bird kept me sane, when often madness was just around the corner. I learnt from this bird, she taught me about life. I know that a bird has a lot more challenges to cope with, than me, a mere human being in comparision. And, most importantly my art of nest building is still not up to scratch. I tried and failed in making a nest.