February’s bitter cold keeps me inside this snowy winter morning.
Yet outside, my friends, the birds and squirrels wait for me.
And so, I must bundle up, wrap a scarf around my face, and venture out.
As the birds and squirrels gather around me, I offer them black oil sunflower seeds
and tiny pieces of peanut butter toast. I watch them eat and sense their gratefulness
for this nourishment. The little chickadees and juncos amaze me with their
determination
and strength as they dig through the snow for the seeds on the ground.
As I go back into the house, I appreciate its warmth and shelter. And I realize
how caring for the birds and squirrels has brought me closer to the Creator of us all.
—Bernadette R. Gentry, February 2024