As I type this, I can see a mama blue jay outside my window.  She is chirping to her fledgling that found its way down to our holly bushes.  I have been sitting here watching her and daddy blue jay fly back and forth encouraging their youngster….seeming to say "You can do it!"  "Stay safe!"  "I’m right here!"  "Don’t do that!"  "Be careful!"  "Hang on!"  "I’ll be back!"  "Rest a bit…" and "Hooray!" 

The little fledgling is hiding in our bushes and doesn’t want to move.  To tired?  Scared?  Unsure?  Ill-equipped?  All I know is that daddy and mama are so close by and making the sweetest little chirp-chirp noises…all with a careful and watchful eye.

It really reminds me of the place we are in right now.  Colin getting bigger and able to "roam" a bit more.  Running off but still needing us when he runs back.  Almost ready to leap into kindergarten.  So excited.  And us with our watchful eyes hovering over him….encouraging him and teaching him and loving him all the while…

Wow…she just divebombed a squirrel.  Go girl!!! Protect that baby!

I’m keeping a watchful eye too…and cheering for the baby who needs to fly.