Bird Droppings November 19, 2025

Within the circle of life, infinity exists

I had a doctor’s appointment first thing this morning, and, as usual, I had Carlos Nakai playing on my radio as I drove. There is something about his calming music that, for me, is almost meditative. Over the past few days, I had taken several photos I really liked, and I was thinking about possibly posting them with a poem attached about what I was thinking at that time. So here I am driving, thinking about poetry and a poem I wrote nearly sixty years ago, which now has a different meaning. I was alone, sitting in the dark, and jotting this down in a spiral notebook I kept for thoughts.

One little Circle

Alone

Unopened.

When I wrote this, I was very depressed, and I stopped being depressed quite a long time ago. Along the way, I have gained a bit of wisdom and understanding on spiritual matters. I now see the circle as a symbol of infinity, not confinement. Infinity exists in the circle of life. The circle does not confine life; all of creation is in the circle. Susan Thomas Underwood is a native of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and an author. I saw her book of thoughts, Walk with Spirit, on Amazon.com, and thought I might look.

Resurrection

By Susan Thomas Underwood

The universe is energy in constant motion.

There are ebbs and flows.

Outcomes and income,

And change…… Always change.

The physical world reflects this motion.

In the cycles of life,

There is spring and fall, winter and summer,

Birth and death; and rebirth…

Resurrection!

Einstein proved that even time is relative

In his theory of relativity,

All is relative …. All is change

You can count on it.

Be then as the willow.

Learn to bend with the wind!

Always dream, though your dreams may change.

Always produce, even if your product changes.

Always love, though your love may change.

Always live, though your life will change.

You can count on it!

This will be a rather interesting week for me. I went to schedule a colonoscopy and found that since I take Eliquis for A fib, I need approval from my cardiologist. I had a CT scan on Friday and hope to find out if I can continue physical therapy instead of surgery on my shoulder. Tomorrow is our now-traditional dinner with the grandkids, and we will theoretically finish Christmas shopping next weekend. Our first granddaughter, my youngest son’s firstborn, will soon be fifteen and getting her learner’s permit, and that really makes me feel old. Our second granddaughter has her birthday in a few weeks, and we are driving up to North Carolina for that occasion. There have been so many blessings these past few days to remember and more to come.

As I read this first entry in Underwood’s book, I thought about my existence these past 76 years and the changes I have experienced as a son, parent, husband, father, and now a fifth-time grandfather.

“The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, the summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky, the rhythm of the sea, speak to me. The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning, the dewdrop on the flower, speak to me. The strength of the fire, the trail of the sun, and the life that never goes away, they speak to me, and my heart soars.” Chief Dan George

I find myself quoting Dan George many times. Dan was a Salish chief from Canada and later an accomplished actor. Some may remember him from the movies Little Bighorn or The Outlaw Josie Wales. But he was an eloquent speaker and poet. He often spoke of nature but also of the intertwining of life. He would speak of the roads we each travel and cross many times. I spent most of the past weekend watching, observing, holding, and photographing my grandchildren and helping my wife get the house ready for the holidays while she ran around hunting for bargains. It is hard to recall a tiny newborn fourteen years ago, when each gesture and smile was first for her. I am so happy with how we as a family responded and have encouraged her, as she is still learning daily. It seems even as a teacher watching my grandbabies learn daily, I am amazed.

As teachers, being a grandparent becomes our number one teaching job. It is not so much about having them believe or think as I do, but about providing pathways for them to walk and learn on their own. Our journeys in life are not always smooth going, and it is important to be able to offer a hand when needed. I recall several years back watching my granddaughter and my son as we went for blood work; the bond we made in a few short hours is one of a lifetime. Watching her mother hold her and talk softly, whispering as she carefully touched her eyes, nose, and cheeks, is a bond impossible to break. For a moment or two, I was peering through the lens of my camera as my granddaughter, in a matter of seconds, in her grandmother’s lap, made a series of facial expressions almost as if she knew I had grandma wrapped around my ever-so-tiny finger now. As the orator and actor Dan George stated so many years ago, “They speak to me, and my heart soars.”

It is a new week, and with grandbabies to visit, hug, and share with, it is all happening so fast. May peace be with you all in the coming days. May we all keep those in harm’s way in our hearts and minds and always give thanks to Namaste.

My family and friends, I do not say this lightly,

Mitakuye Oyasin

(We are all related)

docbird