We were so happy together walking around the huge wooden ship with billowing sails and polished hardwood decks. There was always plenty of food gifted from the kind sailors.
My mate and I had been together just enjoying life as most seagulls do. I thought my husband and I were special, we were. Our flock of friends were all white in color with light orange beaks; however we both had blue feathers on our wing tips, and thin blue crests right in the middle of our heads.
One fine day after many dazzling sunsets and sunrises, I said I have a strong feeling I would enjoy flying inland to explore the inland paradise. I had heard of flowering trees and tumbling waterfalls awaited my visit. Something deep inside of me said I should leave my husband behind for the day, and fly inland alone.
I jumped in the air, clearing my wings for takeoff. Then I flew completely around the beautiful large sturdy sailing ship. The vessel was barely cutting the calm ocean’s deep blue waters because no wind was aloft. As I circled the ship, I tipped my wings back and forth in a joyous good bye.
I felt a surge of flight energy as I climbed up to the sunlit white puffy clouds. Anticipating a far away beach; I remembered playing in the surf when I was just a young sea gull — what fun it was just walking at the edge of white warm sand and cool ocean water.
As I flew, I looked down through the clouds and saw only tree tops. Where could the white sandy beach be? Immediately I realized my view of the beach was blocked by the clouds. I was flying too high, I guess.
Whirling around mid-flight, I headed back to where I expected the beautiful beach might be. Maybe I am close… I felt an increasingly cool breeze on my wing tips. I seemed to taste a little salt in the air. I knew I must be close to the edge of sand and water. There the beach was, being bathed wave by wave.
I thought I would fly down, play in the surf, find a snack or two and rest. As I rested I would move my wings as far forward as possible so I could see just a little bit of my unique blue wing tips of which I was so proud.
Then off I went taking flight to the first large waterfall I could find, tree tops galore and more. Hearing a strange sound I flew down to check the origin of the muffled roar. As I approached I realized I was hearing the sound of falling water. Bingo! A very beautiful waterfall came into view. At last a perfect place to spend some quiet time in nature; with the rhythmic dance of glistening falling water.
I can’t believe what fun I was having swimming under the falling water, just to come up on the other side. And then seeing the wall of water surround me as I peered out from behind the white flow.
After awhile I began to see a darkness enveloping the waterfall within its river valley, which was surrounded by forest and rocky cliffs. It can’t be nearing sunset, I thought. Maybe I was enjoying myself so much I had lost track of time. Then I heard thunder! O’ heavens a storm is coming! How will I ever fly back to meet my mate, since he is expecting me to come home to the sailing ship deck at sunset.
As I lingered near the waterfall I tried to determine how fast the storm was approaching, and how strong it was to become. Too late: first came the rain, then a howling wind, and then the forest groaned, and even small rocks began to tumble from the cliff walls! Wow! This sweet baby of a storm was going to be a strong one!
As I stared out from behind a bush, I could see the beautiful waterfall begin to grow in size and flow. Most alarming was the debris the raging river now carried. I knew I was in trouble when the impossible rain just got harder and more torrential!
Log after log breached the waterfall, plummeting into a now raging stream. I watched as three empty canoes crested the falls and smashed into the pool of water and rocks below.
Suddenly, I was pushed, shook and tumbled into the now messy river. I knew I could swim, however I noticed small steams of red blood along the side of my white feathered body. For a moment — or Lord knows how long — all was totally dark: no sound, no feeling, no smell, no nothing. Yes… nothing!
Light with the limitation of evening began to return. Where was I? I first felt the sand of an ocean beach. I was laying on my side. I slowly stretched each leg, then each wing. As the evening waves made hoops of sea water on the shore, the vast blue ocean suddenly spoke! A clear, confident, powerful voice declared, “I am God, I will now fill you with the spirit of flight and take you back to your sailing ship and your mate. Its almost sunset, he is expecting you to appear soon. Trust me, I will take you back to the place that loves you and the place you in turn love. I am always with you, and with certainty I can be counted on at all times. So hold me in your heart of hearts, because from seagulls to humans, I am always present.”
“Now, it is true — sometimes I just send my angels for support and healing. However… only when I just need a nap!”
FROM BILLY BEAR LAND TO HIS DEVOTED DORIS BEAR – 8/8/21
