Amidst loss and transformation, I found strength in the flight of a bird.
Each morning, as the first light of dawn filtered through my window, I would sit by the oak tree, my sanctuary, my solace. Bird watching was always one of my favorite pastimes. From my perch, I observed the delicate dance of wings and feathers, the gentle symphony of chirps and tweets. They perched up on a branch, their chests protruding, a silent proclamation of their existence.
There was one bird in particular, a magnificent robin, whose presence always commanded my attention. It looked so peaceful yet proud, like a queen surveying her kingdom. So regal, so much power in that small, beating chest. The sunlight would catch the reddish hue of its feathers, casting a soft, warm glow. It was a moment of pure beauty, suspended in time.
But then, as if answering a call only it could hear, the robin would spread its wings and take flight. In that instant, the branch, which moments before seemed a throne, would be left empty, regular. The splendor dissipated, leaving only a memory of what had been. The beauty didn’t remain the same; the magic had moved on.
This morning, I felt a strange kinship with that branch. My own chest, once a symbol of femininity and strength, now altered, transformed. The mastectomy had taken more than just flesh; it had taken a piece of my identity. The mirror reflected a new version of me, one I was still learning to accept.
As I watched the robin today, I noticed something different. Its flight, instead of signaling loss, seemed to symbolize resilience. The branch, though bare, was still part of the tree, still strong, still capable of supporting new life. The beauty of the bird’s presence lingered in the air, a reminder that true power and beauty come from within.
In that moment, I understood that my journey, much like the robin’s, was not defined by what was lost, but by the strength to continue. My body, though changed, was still mine, still capable of grace and beauty. The robin returned, perched high and proud, a testament to the enduring spirit of life.
And so, with the dawn’s light casting its gentle glow, I felt a quiet peace settle within me. I was like that branch—resilient, enduring, and ready to embrace the beauty of what is yet to come.