My new friend.

Meet Quinn.

It was a regular Sunday.

White shirt.
Brown slacks.
Grandpa's old penny loafers.

Feeling somewhat unfulfilled and distant, i meandered back to the car. In no particular hurry, and in no particular angle.

The pitter patter of rain soothed my mood further, and i noted my visible breath, and upset it was happening in the middle of june.

A scurry out of the corner of my eye, caught me. Heading away from me and low to the ground.
Curious, i followed.

Meet Quinn.

A two week old quail(unconfirmed specimen, but cute.)
Quinn had decided to run away.

I stumbled upon this guy in the middle of a busy intersection. Sensing his distress, i rushed into the road, stopping a few cars in the process, and gently scooped his frail, frightened body into my hands. He shivered, and peeped furiously.

Phone in one hand, and Quinn in the other, i began to investigate.

Google.
Baby bird help.
Raising a baby bird.
Found baby bird.
All useless and all with a bleak outlook.
My new companion had stopped shivering, and began to lightly peck at my curled fingers.

I searched for a nearby nest. A nearby mother. Anything.

It was time for my ride to leave. I ravaged the trunk and found and empty peanut can, and a pair of CLEAN socks. I managed to make a makeshift sanctuary for my new found friend. Sadly, my path lead to a family gathering, putting my rescue plan on a new route.

Quinn was curious.

He kept getting his tiny head above the rim of the can, eager to see the world around him. I balanced the can on the window sill, and watched him take in all the sights as they went rushing by.

All the while, emitting small chirps.

We arrived, and i explained to my host the situation. He produced a medicine dropper and a smile. That was all i needed. i headed upstairs to the bathroom, hoping not to reveal my new secret to any of my much younger cousins. A few drops of water, and a nap are just what this bird needed.

Meet Quinn.

Hidden high in the shower window, bathing in sunlight lay my new friend. Everything i read about raising a young bird, resulted in death. I however, was optimistic. Quinn was the exception. Every hour he needed food, i could do that. He needed a clean environment, piece of cake. All my self convincing pointed to success. Small talk and frequent trips upstairs added up and finally, home was our destination.

Phone in hand.
More questions, more concern.
Fewer chirps.

We arrived home, and Quinn lay asleep in his can. I began to alter a shoe box for the little guy. He needed more room to roam and explore. Next was dinner. I went outside and dug up a worm. Only a fat and juicy one would do.  I diced it into small pieces and used tweezers to take hold of the slimy dinner. I tapped the side of his beak and offered a snack. He refused and shut his eyes. Stumped, i tried again.
Same response.
Fly? No.
Bread? No.
Sunflower seeds? No.
Now what?

I went into our study for more research. I scanned and googled and scanned and googled. Finally, a break through. I walked into the kitchen to check on the little guy and there he was.

Meet Quinn.

Lifeless, and still.

How?

I sunk into the chair, dumbfounded and heartbroken.

I failed him.

All this little guy had was me.

He relied on ME, for food, water, and shelter.

And me, an invinsible human, couldn't even supply that.

Confused as to why i was so upset, i rose to my feet and went outside.

I paced around the yard, blaming myself, and looking for solace.

The conclusion? As cheesy as it may sound, I decided to give my new friend the respect he deserved.

I found a good spot of ground, a popsicle stick, and laid his little body to rest.

Alive and well one minute, gone the next.

In many cases, people leave us before we have a chance to thank them.

Or the chance to say goodbye.

Everything they've taught us, and everything they meant to us.

Gone, in the blink of an eye.

Did they know how much you respected them?

Did they know how much they taught you?

Do they know how much you love them?

It's hard to tell someone how much you'll miss them, when they are already gone.

Life is too short to hold onto the mistakes of yesterdays. What good is a grudge, and who does it benefit?

I am now in the process of writing letters.

Letters to everyone that has mattered to me.

Letters to those who have taught me and changed me.

Why a letter? Words spoken are indeed powerful, but often forgotten. Written words, are eternal. Tangible evidence of love and gratitude.

Hateful words may be your last words to someone you care about more than anything.

We hurt the deepest, those we love the most.

Angry words may be the last thing someone remembers you by.

Let go of your grudges.

Tell people you love you love them, and take every chance to do so.

Because you never know which time will be the last time.

Meet Quinn.

My eye opening friend.

Thank you.

-christopher michael