Miranda Ryan – “How to Befriend a Crow”
Is your therapist advising you to connect more with your community?! Use this simple nine step guide and befriend your local crow!
Step 1. Lose Everything
Befriending a crow in my 30’s was not part of the plan. Nor was becoming a widow in my 30’s. Looking back over the four years since my husband Michael died, it is clear these are inextricably linked.
You might be wondering how he died. A more inspiring question might be, how did he live? That’s when you’ll see my face light up as I picture his smile and think of the kind things he regularly did. Like the time he mowed his best friend’s lawn (not a euphemism) because he arrived there early and wanted to make himself useful while he waited. Or the time he found a set of keys and wouldn’t rest until he returned them to their owner. Or the way he always encouraged me to pause and admire the beauty of wherever we were.
He was an adoring, thoughtful and loving husband and was in turn adored and loved completely. That’s what he was to me if I had to sum it up in a sentence. Which, for horrible reasons, I did. Instead, asking how he died would generate a shift in my gaze. My stare might become blank. I might tense up as I travelled back to that moment. The moment of what happened. It’s a noticeable shift in energy, and different to the vibe you would get from me if you found me on a nature walk. Here you’d find me relaxed, looking upwards, listening intently and observing. I never expected to become a birder at this age. Now I regret not finding it sooner. I hadn’t realized that birds are present-day dinosaurs. People would be a little more hesitant to shit on bird watching if it was called dinosaur-watching.
Step 2. Watch Birds
And the best thing about birding is that if you have a window, you can do it from the comfort of your home! It’s that easy. Try it now. Look out the window. Can you see any birds? You’re doing it! Fantastic.