Relating to the preceding posts of my fellow hens: I dressed up as a fortune teller once (reason: a neighborhood carnival on base - I was 13 or 14); I also called a psychic once (reason: I was 19, the commercial was very convincing, and I had a vital boy/summer romance question). That shared, my thoughts/take on this topic - Fortune Told - lean toward recent events...perhaps a tarot card disguised as a photo ;).
Mini-preface: In my last post, I mentioned my interest/focus on flocks of birds and their choreography; I explained what they mean to me and how they translate to a spiritual presence.
Post: The Thursday before last, the 10th of March, I arrived home after work & errands around 8:00pm. I went into the house, grabbed my camera, and walked my snap-happy self right back out...as I had seen three small flocks of black birds (black in color, I've no idea if they were actual blackbirds) in the trees in our yard + the yard across the street. I sat on the curb, camera poised to capture the group-diving which fascinates me so. On this day, there was less diving and more...direct flight. These birds were communicative and organized. Focused. It seemed that one [of them] would make a statement/a call, more imperative than declarative, and that statement would trigger movement from one tree to the next. They used the same set of trees, and the same [isosceles shaped] path each time. In between very spry flights - they would spend what felt like 20 minutes in position amongst the branches...all very still, and all looking in the same direction. Their time spent still was probably closer to 4 minutes, but a fair amount of time just the same (flighty, as birds are). Though we characterize birds as free (free as a bird, etc..), they are also creatures of discipline. They resourcefully build their homes, fiercely protect their young, and dutifully provide regular meals to the tiny, squawking, translucent beaks of their hatchlings. And these birds, my birds on the 10th, seemed to be running a drill of some sort. I stayed outside for a bit, took some photos, and went back inside...feeling somewhat disappointed in the tone. Rather than uplifting (like catching a glimpse of Betty), it felt...somber (as evidenced in the photo itself). Note to reader: I qualify as a photography enthusiast with aspirations of becoming an amateur.
North Augusta, SC - March 10, 2011
It wasn't until Saturday that I realized my time spent with the birds that evening took place close to what had been 10am Friday morning in Japan...around 5 hours before the earthquake shook and then shifted the planet. The more I look at the photo, the more I'm convinced that the birds were tuning in...sensing what was near in the Far East. Winged seers.
We were stationed at Misawa AFB in Japan for 3 years. That assignment affected me more than any other, probably more than all others combined. I love Japan, adore the people, and admire their traditions & customs. Land of the rising sun - yes. It's also enchanting, quirky, challenging, and completely charming. And Misawa... There's something about that place. I'm not unique in having been affected so significantly; the kinship among fellow Misawa-stationees blows my mind. Before Facebook, Myspace, or Classmates - we congregated on webpages dedicated to the base and our experiences there...there were forums, message boards, photos, and announcements of reunions open to anyone who had ever gone to school on the base. Facebook has only allowed the virtual gatherings to flourish and reach more even more brats; it's brilliant and 75% of what makes FB worthwhile to/for me.
As says the the cliche, home is where the heart is... The considerable space that Japan holds in my heart is both broken and in awe of all they are experiencing. As I pray for those suffering and in need, I also know witnessing a resilient, innovative, and humble people rebuild is sure to be an equally extraordinary experience. I only hope to help in a meaningful way.
