My dear mother has always had a special connection with birds; wild free birds!! and thankfully has never held any captive in a cage. Perhaps my own connection with them in creating artworks is ‘through and from’ her. I have many memories of Mom rescuing and rehabilitating all kinds of birds in need; and then a few years back of a large black pigeon whom she found at her door, cold and close to death. After her care and nursing he fully recovered to fly off strong and well. He’d then return often, staying close by for several weeks at a time; coming to Mom as she’d call and feeding from her hand. Big Boy too would return with a mate, almost as if to introduce her to Mom. It was a remarkable relationship where seeing them interact utterly amazed and delighted me each time. This work makes me think of Big Boy who would wait at the end of their lane for Mom to ‘converse and connect’ a bit. Recently he returned again, staying still and close, not flying off. One morning he stepped into her warm hands, nestling for a while before gently laying his head down and simply, peacefully slipped by and on to another realm. Precious beautiful Big Boy. Precious caring Mom.

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