A Woman's View

Why babies need moms (Hint: Learn from the eagles)

On any ordinary day any mom or dad may wonder whether they matter in their children's lives. Well, eagle moms and dads certainly do.

I always assumed eaglets know how to fly by instinct. Not true.

Rather, the newly hatched eaglet imprints and bonds with the first moving object it sees.  Eaglets learn to fly and hunt by observing their parents...and then following their example.

Researchers observed that eagles, as well as ducks and geese, possess this trait. These just-hatched babies will take their cues from whatever moves, even if it's not their parent. From that first moment of imprinting they follow close behind, even if what they see is a rolling pin or a rolling tennis ball. Workers in bird shelters which rescue eagle eggs and hatch them must hand feed the baby birds using an eagle puppet. Otherwise the birds would think they were human beings. Later, at mating time, such eagles would not be able to bond with another eagle.

One researcher saw a duck egg hatch near a ping pong ball that was rolling along the floor. When the duck was ready to mate, it wanted to mate with anything that was round and rolling. Another group of ducklings imprinted on the researchers moving feet...in boots. They followed the researcher everywhere (so long as he wore his boots) and even slept on his boots at night.

I think there's an obvious lesson here for us: Moms (and dads) matter. Children follow after their parents, just as eaglets do. Our daughters and sons learn how to be human beings by watching and emulating their parents.  They learn about honesty and kindness and character. They learn how to think about life and what matters most. They learn about faith in God...or lack of same. (Yes, young people may one day rebel against everything their parents stand for, but that comes later.)

In other words, we mothers and fathers do more than provide for and care for our children. We become their prime role models and they follow our example...for better or for worse. With variations, this goes on as long as we live.

That means every moment of every day has value, even those days when we're bored or frustrated...or think we're too tired to care.

When we run out of energy, we can recharge by remembering verses like these:

He (God) gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  

--Isaiah 40:29-31

So let's take a deep breath and feel a fresh burst of courage. Every one of us moms and dads has reason to rejoice, every purposeful day we live.

What more meaningful thing could we be doing with our lives?

Blessings and joy,

Lenore

Q: What do you think about this?

  

What moms have in common with chickens--and eagles

Maybe you remember the improbable tale about the eagle's egg that somehow got mixed in with chicken eggs in a nest. So the newly hatched baby eagle knew only the world of chickens. He walked like a chicken and ate what his chicky siblings ate and minded his own chicky business. 

Not far away, high up in a huge tree, American Eagles nested. As the eaglet grew, he often watched the big birds with their big wings spread, circling overhead.  Higher and higher they soared and the eaglet thought, Oh, what it would be like to fly way up high like that? If only I could fly! But...I'm just a chicken and chickens can't fly like that. I know, because I asked Mama and she said chickens do not fly like those powerful birds. Mama said, "You're just a chicken. So don't even try. Just be happy as you are."

So the eaglet lived every day, never feeling like he fit in. He looked at the other chickens and they seemed happy, clucking and scratching on the ground as chickens do. What was wrong with him, anyway? After awhile he didn't even look up anymore.

And the eagle lived out his days with the chickens, his feet firmly planted on the ground, never knowing he could fly. Worse yet, he never even tried. Why bother? After all, his mama told him he could not fly...

By now you're wondering what's the point of this silly tale, so here it is. Our children carry our words with them...for life.

If you doubt that, think back to what your mother told you--about you. What messages helped you? Which ones are you still trying to erase from that recording in your mind?

See what I mean?

So, here's the thing. You're still breathing, so you'll never find a better time. Unpack those messages in your head and look at them with grown-up perspective. Throw out the ones that do not now or never did fit you. Keep anything you might want more time to think about.

Then take a look in the mirror at the adult you are now. Betcha you'll like what you see.

One thing more. You and I planted messages in our children's heads, too. All parents do. So take time to think about them. Are they valid and true? If not, don't wait. Ask forgiveness, then speak about the good things you see in each of your children. Say the words. Let each one hear a new message from their Mama, one that blesses them every time they think of it. 

Come on, you can do it. By the way, humble pie doesn't taste too bad--and the whipped cream of drawing closer in spirit tastes yummy.

Here's to growing in love,

Lenore

Question for you: Do you think this rings true? Your comments welcomed! Just click on that word in the listing below this post.

Are you an eagle or a prairie chicken?

Here's a thought-provoking legend from our native Americans.

                                                    The Changeling Eagle

A brave found an eagle's egg and put it into the nest of a prairie chicken. The eaglet hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with them.

All his life, the changeling eagle--thinking he was a prairie chicken--did what prairie chickens did.

He scratched in the dirt for seeds and insects to eat. He clucked and cackled. He flew around in a brief thrashing of wings and flurry of feathers, but never more than a few feet off the ground. After all, that's how prairie chickens were supposed to fly.

Years passed. And the changeling eagle grew very old. One day he saw a magnificent bird far above him in the cloudless sky. Hanging with graceful majesty on the powerful wind currents, it soared with barely a beat of its strong golden wings.

"What a beautiful bird!" said the changeling eagle to his neighbor. "What is it?"

"That's an eagle, the chief of all the birds," the neighbor clucked. "But don't give it a second thought. You could never be like him."

So the changeling eagle never gave it another thought. And it died thinking it was a prairie chicken.

This simple tale speaks to my heart. How about yours? I think it carries meaning and implications for all of us...and for our children. So here's my question--and I'd really be interested to read your responses:   Who's your role model? Where did you get your picture of yourself? 

Here's Part B to that question: What picture are you giving your kids of who they are and of their potential?  The point is not that they become President, but rather that they consider themselves able to reach big goals if they pay the price. (Usually that's spelled w-o-r-k.)

Think before you answer. Please know I'm not hinting something needs to change. Once in awhile it does us good to take a reading of ourselves and our lives. Otherwise we may get stuck in old thinking just because it's known and comfortable.

That could keep us "scratching and clucking" when we were made to fly...  

Blessings,

Lenore

Don't forget to answer the question--or pass on your insights--because your comments are welcomed! Just scroll to the box at the end and follow directions.