We Birds

Having watched birds over a longer period of time than I care to relate, teaches me that we are relatives of all living things especially in the animal world.  Now I know that there are those who would argue that we are a superior creature formed somehow in a magical kiln and that we have dominion over all the other living things on earth.  I used to believe that until I was old enough to become disillusioned by: wars and killing, greed, hate and anger. Was this the thinking creature made to save the world? This one who disrespected peace and cooperation but made eloquent  excuses for it?  Back on topic - some say birds and other animals of which we are one on earth, don't have emotions and that only man can reason. Now there's a conceit for you. It takes only minutes to see, when you observe animals in nature especially with their young, that they do reason, feel and react - the latter sometimes not in our favour! Currently, I am watching a nest of Red Tailed Hawks and it is clear that the parent birds know to keep their young warm and fed and safe. They feel concern for them, think when its time to defend them and react to their growth and changes. To argue that it is mere instinct, is for us to be sad that it isn't ours  and that we have to be taught how to do these simple natural things for our young. How many parents are with their offspring all the time, feeding them, guarding them and making life patterns for them to follow? Sadly for us, our kids are left in the hands of others most of their waking day. No matter how well trained these so-called substitutes: babysitters, nannies, schools are, they aren't you, the family. Like the bird that lays its eggs in another bird's nest, your little "birds" are not learning your ways: how you speak and move and react to various common experiences. Oh I know, there are the Expenses to be met. But I wonder about that on looking back; I was one who "worked" . And while one can point to the grown child and say - see the success. How do we test "success"? Does my grandchild nod his head when he listens, does he have that laugh or move his hands like so?  Do we want to hear, Oh how cute: he holds his fork just the way nanny did or she brushes her hair from her eyes just the way the babysitter did? To keep our families unique unto themselves, we have to be there "in the nest" just like the animals do, the reasoning animals.