Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

SUMMER AT LAST

We have been given a lesson in parenting skills. Earlier this year, two swallows built their nest (somewhat precariously) on top of our outer front door, laid and hatched out their eggs, spent weeks darting in with emergency food supplies to keep their children alive and well. The four youngsters rapidly grew until it was a comic sight to see them squeezed between the top of the nest and the porch ceiling, utterly dependant on their parents. We decided to ignore the terrible mess that this all made to our door and porch floor, feeling privileged that nature had visited us in this wonderful way.

But then there came a day when something within their little birdie instincts told Mr and Mrs Swallow that it was time for the youngsters to fly the nest. One morning, the parents were joined for the special occasion by other adult swallows swooping and chirping constantly in and out of the porch, obviously encouraging the four children to spread their wings and fly. Look it’s easy! For a while it seemed a hopeless task as the ungrateful teenagers sat stupefied on top of the door. Then all of a sudden one of them plucked up the courage and plunged from her (just guessing that the bravest one was female) security into the scary unknown to fly for herself. Then the other three gamely followed suit.

That evening, the four youngsters came back to spend the night in familiar surroundings. But there was no sign of the parents who, job done, seemed to have gone onto their next assignment.
What a lovely lesson in the importance of family. It is slightly different for humans of course. When our kids leave the nest, they keep fluttering back for all kinds of reasons, usually involving extra cost! But would we have it any other way?

Whenever someone comes to a surgery, concerned about a disabled child, or a grandchild who is a drug addict, or for housing help for their ageing relatives or whatever, it moves me. No matter how “modern” we become, no matter what new fangled gadget they are about to invent, blood will always be thicker than water.
This will be the last article for a few weeks, while I rush around the house with hot water and towels ready to do whatever men have to do when a new baby enters the world. Panic, mainly!
Have a wonderful summer.

posted by Nigel on Thursday, August 25, 2005