The Tiny Messenger

Video Version Here

Our first big family vacation after Harvey’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease was a week-long rafting trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. This was a bucket list trip that I knew needed to be taken before his disease was too advanced. It was difficult for him, and for the rest of the family, for many reasons, but it was also a special adventure for us all.

The rafts used on this trip were large and guided by one oarsman at the stern. We passengers were called upon to maneuver the raft through tricky rapids at times. Mostly though, we could ride, letting the guide do his or her job as we rode like royalty through the canyon, spotting wildlife along the way.

Occasionally there were pools of slower moving water where we could jump in and play or have water cannon fights among the rafts.

During one such down time, we were floating gently down the river, when I noticed a hummingbird hovering near our bright orange raft. She then gently alighted right next to Harvey who was sitting on the the stern. Harvey didn’t notice the tiny bird at first, but I caught his attention, and he quietly observed her. She appeared to be just resting there beside Harvey and stayed a good three minutes before taking off.

I haven’t had much success attracting hummingbirds at my house and have given up on putting out my feeder. My parents, though, have regular visitors, and I always enjoy watching them buzz about the feeder.

On my first day at my new lake home, though, I saw one flitting around the deck. There were no flowers and the previous owners hadn’t had a feeder, so it was a mystery as to why there was one so near here when I hadn’t seen one in the four years I had lived at my primary home.

I brought my hummingbird feeder with me on my next visit to the lake, filled it, and hung it on the deck eight feet away from my favorite reading and writing spot. As I was drafting this post, I had a visitor! She buzzed around a bit, and took a quick taste of the nectar. A few minutes later, she came back, perched and drank for a solid two minutes. I felt very blessed.

The hummingbird carries a great deal of symbolism. Joy, healing, good luck, beauty, sweetness, and agility are all associated with this lively bird. But the symbol that resonates with me the most is one of divine messenger, one who nudges us to release people or things in our lives that are no longer with us.

I like to think that the hummingbird who accompanied Harvey on the Colorado River may have brought a message that it was time to surrender his old life and embrace the start of his new life.

And because the hummingbird’s wings move in the pattern of the infinity symbol, they can also be a reminder of eternity and continuity.

My little messenger today has given me quite a gift—a reminder to move forward, but to be  secure in the knowledge that Harvey will always be with me.