Whether you’re staying at home these days or you’re heading off to work at your essential job, you’ve probably noticed that spring is in the air - finally. On the nights that it’s been warm enough to sleep with the windows open a bit, I’ve been greeted in the mornings with the sounds of birds singing and whistling their springtime tunes.

With so much uncertainty in our day-to-day lives, it’s been somewhat refreshing to know that despite what may be going on in the world around them, the birds are still waking up happy each day. That has definitely lifted my own spirits these last few weeks. I’ve enjoyed spending some time out on my deck, watching the cardinals dart from tree to tree, or seeing the hawks fly well above everything else off in the distance. Seeing them from afar is one thing, but this spring, I’ve gotten to experience the joys of springtime birds up close and personal at my house.

A few months ago, I purchased a new wreath for my front door. It is synthetic, but made to look as though it has twigs and vines and flowers surrounding it. I proudly hung it up and have enjoyed seeing it when I come home from work each day. Apparently, however, someone else really liked my new wreath, too.

For a week or so, I kept noticing what looked like small pieces of my wreath on the concrete stoop below. A time or two, I’d walk up just in time to see someone fly out of the wreath. “You stay out of there and quit taking pieces of my wreath with you,” I’d yell at the little thief.

I noticed, though, after some time, that it appeared to be the same bird I was seeing, and it looked like she was making herself at home. Sure enough, she made a cozy little nest, right in the top of my new wreath on my door. By the time I found it, there were already five little eggs nestled inside.

My Mama Bird, as I have affectionately named her, deemed my home safe and warm enough to also be her home, at least for a little while. She comes and goes, and we try to disturb her as little as possible. When she sees us heading for the door, she’ll fly away, but never far enough where she can’t keep an eye on her babies. She’s a good Mama Bird, and I feel lucky to be able to watch my own little nature show right outside my front door.

Since I first saw the eggs, one has disappeared, and two have hatched. Mama Bird remains at home most of the time now, only leaving the nest to go searching for food or to make way for the humans to pass through the doorway. She is loyal, loving and ever-present for her little ones.

Mama Bird has reminded me during this crazy time in our world that even though there is sickness, uncertainty and sadness, spring is still in the air. The birds are still singing their songs. And, there is beauty in the most ordinary of places; you only have to look right outside your front door to see it.

Happy Easter and happy spring. I hope you’re able to sing or whistle a tune with someone, feathered or otherwise, too.