A Milestone Birthday

Tomorrow, May 18, 2005 I turn 40. A milestone, albeit maybe not a major one by most people’s standards. However, this past year I have been somewhat dreading this particular milestone.

My husband reminds me that it is just another day. Just like the other approximate 30,000 days in an average life. And I don’t think it is so much the “passing of youth” as it were. I think mostly it is a reminder that I stand at the approximate fulcrum of my life. Given an average life of 80 years, half has passed already, and I am left to reflect on what I have accomplished, where am I going, what goals do I have set, and what kind of an impact do I leave in my passing to those who I have known, who are in my daily life, and with whom I have daily interaction.

This past year was a wake-up call to my soul. I was shaken out of a complacency, and have found myself questioning many aspects of my life. I have come through with a greater need to establish community and family for myself. I find myself needing interaction and companionship like never before in my life. So much of my youthful years I certainly could care less what people thought about me, and I was content to keep my own company. That is changing now. I find a terribly strong desire to make ties, to form bonds, to forge friendships. I carefully attempt this in the avenues available to me. And I call to the Universe to bring more opportunities. I have no children, so I have no foothold in the future, no advocate, no champion to carry the banner of my best interest as I get older. So I must carefully build ties now to substitute for this lack.

It is an ongoing process, my decisions on where the next 40 may take me. Of course, it could all end long before that . . . but I am an optimist! I hope to continue learning and growing, and improving my skills, to include falconry, as well as other aspects of my life that need attention. My spiritual life could also use development. Priorities! I need to set time away to address these needs. But above all else, I wish to continue to form an ever expanding circle of friends. People I can rely on, and give mutual support to, and proceed together with as I walk the continuing path of my life.

May that path grow ever clearer to me, every day.

Phil holding a hawk for the first time. 

Countdown to Goodbye . . . and New Friends

It is mid May, and my last educational talk is next weekend in Marshfield. Very soon I shall be releasing my two birds, and send them on their way. They shall return to the wild, with little effect on them for their months in captivity. For each, it was a guaranteed survival through the winter. They will quickly forget their training, and return to their pre-trap state . . . wild, and free.

As the season has ended, I have made the acquaintance of a man who is wanting to get into falconry. His name is Phil Yurtis. He has contacted Dave Noble, my former sponsor, and has been asking lots of questions, and preparing to enter this sport. He has already passed his written test, and is currently getting his equipment assembled. He has not firmly established who his sponsor will be, but it is possible that Dave might take him on as an apprentice. I've been exchanging e-mails with him for the last month.

Today he brought his family to my home, and I took them to meet Bill Oakes. A very nice family! A very nice visit. I let him hold Abby, and his wife and children each held Rigel. I remember myself just a few years ago, wanting very much to hold a bird, not having one of my own yet, but not daring to ask Dave if I could hold his bird. That first opportunity is one never to be forgotton.

I hope to follow Phil's progress as he gets his license, and goes through his apprenticeship. It would be nice to have a new hawking bud . . . one close to my age and experience.

Good Luck Phil!