Lucy, our highly humanized canine, rode on my arm as we rounded the corner of the house. There, just ahead, and strolling as if taking a walk in the park, was a SOLID WHITE DOVE! The beautiful bird did not seem startled by our appearance. I was considerably startled by its appearance. I geared down to slow motion to keep the dove from launching into neighborhood space.
What could I do to make the white dove feel welcome? An animal lover, feathered or furred, I wanted a chance to cultivate at least the beginning of a relationshp. Lucy knows her place is secure within the family, so she was okay with returning to her area in the kitchen. I went back to the yard with sunflower seeds.
The dove enjoyed the game of seed pitching and pecking. I wondered about the possible message in the appearance of this white dove. There was a matter of some stress going on within me. Was the dove’s presence related to that? I thought about naming this bird. What name would be fitting?
Patience! The bird came during a time of stress when I needed patience. Patience would be the bird’s name. I began to speak the name. Patience seemed okay with it. I prepared a small waterer and placed it just a few feet from my bench seat. Patience went right over and beaked a few swigs. When I went close to see if Patience were injured, she flew.
The next day, Patience was back. Introductions behind us, and getting more comfortable with each other, we went right into our seeds pitching and pecking game. I wondered, hopefully, if our daily visits would continue. When I went inside for a while, Patience left. She may have thought it rude of me to leave. I shouldn’t try her patience like that.
The third day, Patience was in the yard again–WITH A FRIEND! What a forgiving new friend bird! But what can you say about a friend with a name like Patience! And, oh, yes, about that friend that Patience brought? ANOTHER SOLID WHITE DOVE, JUST LIKE PATIENCE! This one I named Peace. Patience brought Peace. Both are gifts from above!
Words and People 