Spring, Robins, and My Mother

Yesterday, I saw my first robins of the season. I always anticipate their return not only because it signals spring, (my favorite time of year), but because they remind me of my mom.  She was the sweetest, kindest woman I’ve ever known, and she liked birds, especially robins. She had us kids on robin watch in the spring and we were delighted when we spied our first ones. Mom kept a bird bath in her large flower garden and fed the birds in a feeder which hung on a maple branch in our front yard. It always amazed me how the birds didn’t seem to mind the feeder swaying widely in the brisk prairie breeze. I gave Mom this little robin years ago, and now that she’s gone I have it. I’ve placed it where I can see it and enjoy a few seconds of Mom with me again.