SIGNS OF SPRING
Spring has finally arrived, and red-breasted Robins are back. Robins are indigenous to this continent, and only recently have been spotted in England, likely after a lengthy journey. The Robins seem to have come back to upstate New York a little earlier this year. In fact, on a recent visit to Aldi’s on Long Pond Road, I noticed a Robin in the juniper bushes alongside their doorway. Then I noticed 4 more, then 5 more, and it became apparent that the bushes were full of them enjoying a feast of berries! I was so glad to see them that wanted to give them something more to eat. I grabbed a crust of bread from my bag and tore it into pieces, throwing them on the ground beneath those evergreens. Unfortunately within minutes, a flock of seagulls came from nowhere and descended upon the bread crumbs. (I thought seagulls preferred French fries.)
But every year, the sight of a Robin reminded me of a story my grandmother told me when I was young. You might remember this historical legend as well. Gram told me that the robin's breast is red because of his presence at Christ's death and crucifixion. When Jesus was on the road to Calvary a robin plucked a thorn from Christ's head and a drop of Jesus' blood fell on the robin's chest, turning it red. It reminds us that after a long cold hard winter, (or a difficult personal struggle in our lives), Jesus is still with us. This once gray bird still wears the badge of its heroic effort.
I still sing an old song to my grandchildren about the Robin – it’s more lighthearted than the story, but it has a similar message.
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along, along
There'll be no more sobbin' when he starts throbbin' his old sweet song
Wake up, wake up wake up you sleepy head
Get up, get up get up get out of bed
Cheer up, cheer up cheer up the sun is red
Live, love, laugh and be happy
What if I were blue, and walking through, the fields of flowers
Oh the rain may glisten but still I listen for hours and hours
I'm just I’m just I’m just a kid again doin’, doin’, doin’ what I did again,
Singin’ singin’ singin’ a song again,
live love laugh and be happy.
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along.
Each year as winter reluctantly gives up its grip upon the earth, dripping sad tears from the ends of icicles, let us all enjoy the signs of spring, and especially the messages of hope that are evident.
Spring has finally arrived, and red-breasted Robins are back. Robins are indigenous to this continent, and only recently have been spotted in England, likely after a lengthy journey. The Robins seem to have come back to upstate New York a little earlier this year. In fact, on a recent visit to Aldi’s on Long Pond Road, I noticed a Robin in the juniper bushes alongside their doorway. Then I noticed 4 more, then 5 more, and it became apparent that the bushes were full of them enjoying a feast of berries! I was so glad to see them that wanted to give them something more to eat. I grabbed a crust of bread from my bag and tore it into pieces, throwing them on the ground beneath those evergreens. Unfortunately within minutes, a flock of seagulls came from nowhere and descended upon the bread crumbs. (I thought seagulls preferred French fries.)
But every year, the sight of a Robin reminded me of a story my grandmother told me when I was young. You might remember this historical legend as well. Gram told me that the robin's breast is red because of his presence at Christ's death and crucifixion. When Jesus was on the road to Calvary a robin plucked a thorn from Christ's head and a drop of Jesus' blood fell on the robin's chest, turning it red. It reminds us that after a long cold hard winter, (or a difficult personal struggle in our lives), Jesus is still with us. This once gray bird still wears the badge of its heroic effort.
I still sing an old song to my grandchildren about the Robin – it’s more lighthearted than the story, but it has a similar message.
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along, along
There'll be no more sobbin' when he starts throbbin' his old sweet song
Wake up, wake up wake up you sleepy head
Get up, get up get up get out of bed
Cheer up, cheer up cheer up the sun is red
Live, love, laugh and be happy
What if I were blue, and walking through, the fields of flowers
Oh the rain may glisten but still I listen for hours and hours
I'm just I’m just I’m just a kid again doin’, doin’, doin’ what I did again,
Singin’ singin’ singin’ a song again,
live love laugh and be happy.
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along.
Each year as winter reluctantly gives up its grip upon the earth, dripping sad tears from the ends of icicles, let us all enjoy the signs of spring, and especially the messages of hope that are evident.