Flying Wounded 175/366

When I opened the curtains in the family room Monday morning, this is what I saw:

the photo is larger than the actual feathers

Several emotions rose up.

Surprise-I don't think I've ever seen feathers that small.

Concern-was the bird laying on my porch somewhere? (It wasn't.)

Confusion-how did that happen? The curtains are gray so there is no way the window looked clear enough to fly through.

Sadness-somewhere one of God's creatures was flying dazed at best.

And once again my mind began rambling and making unusual connections.

In the course of our days we come across people who are flying a little dazed, or wounded, affected by something we have no idea about because we were not around for the impact. I've heard it said that "hurt people hurt people". 

The feathers reminded me to be kind. To everyone. To practice patience. With everyone. To not judge. Anyone. To remember that I too have flown dazed and wounded.  To be mindful of how encouragement and understanding go a long way toward healing and getting up the nerve to fly again.