Until I moved North, I’d never fed hummingbirds. I’ve always found them to be mystical, beautiful, scarce. I still perceive them that way, but I also now know them to be solitary, territorial and aggressive. Within minutes of my refilling the feeders positioned around our yard, The Sentinel” swoops in, jealously guarding the precious sugar water, and dive-bombing unsuspecting visitors. The only peace afforded these Rufous or Ruby-Throated Hummers comes in their visits to the Hibiscus, or even close to us when someone’s wearing pink or red.
Still — for all the guarding and defending, there’s always surplus nectar left in the feeders when I empty them.
As Summer comes to a close, I feel much like that jealous hummingbird: guarding, defending and hoarding these last few somewhat carefree days. Summer for me has always held the invitation to slow down, have fun, revel in nature, ignoring a schedule as much as I’m able. And now there’s a few precious days left, and I want them all to myself — not by myself (extrovert much?), but filled with the season’s blessings. I’m scheduling almost-frenetic recreation, trying to bank time and Summer memories.
No question, fun is being had. But I’m also very aware that my Summers are numbered, along with perhaps my abilities to physically enjoy them in ways I’ve become used to. Like my Hummingbird Teachers, I may be obsessively worried about scarcity, when in reality, there’s abundance.
Maybe my Sugar-Water-Summers won’t be as fresh or as sweet, but they will be abundant, with all that Summer blesses us with. May we all be blessed with valuing the last of these Summer days.