Often, we talk about signs and nudges, those small yet profound signals that guide our path. Yet, sometimes, these signs are beautifully conspicuous, their graceful presence brightening our day, provided we open our eyes and our hearts to their magic.
As I was recuperating from my first round of radiation and surgeries at "Sweet Pea", a picturesque rental home, I found solace in a surprising friendship. It was in the captivating view of the ocean from my bed and a little, scruffy plant that the locals call a lipstick plant, always in my line of sight. It wasn't a plant native to West Vancouver due to our colder climate, but it flourished year-round in Victoria.
This humble plant became a stage for an enchanting performance. A hummingbird began to visit my lipstick bush every few hours, flitting around before settling down for a meal from the tiny flowers. I started looking forward to her visits. When I felt well enough, I'd sit next to the pot, and our dance would continue. We understood each other - she, with her busy feeding schedule, and I, ensuring the peace and safety of her dining spot.
In my weaker moments, I'd look for my winged friend as a sign of resilience and hope. Invariably, she'd appear as if to reassure me, her tiny eyes seemingly telling me, "I'm here, Howard. You'll be fine."
As I began regaining strength, my mornings became synonymous with the sight of multicolored hummingbirds swarming the large lipstick bushes around the kitchen deck. But it was the emerald green ones, like my friend from the bedroom window, that touched my heart the most. They seemed like daily reminders from the universe that patience and grace could overcome any challenge. Their energy became a source of inspiration, offering me hope and strength.
However, tragedy struck one day when we found a hummingbird lifeless on the carport floor, trapped by a skylight. I was devastated, fearing it as an ill omen. We urged the owner to make modifications to the skylights, which they did promptly. Yet, the very next day, we found another green jewel struggling to escape from another skylight. In a moment that felt like a race against time, we managed to rescue her.
The relief and exhilaration I felt then made me understand the spiritual connection between humans and animals that the BC First Nations people so deeply revere. I was a member of the Hummingbird Clan now.
In an almost poetic turn of events, it felt as though the hummingbirds acknowledged our little rescue mission. Their visits became more personal, their silent gratitude reverberating in our shared space. We communicated in silence, thanking each other for saving lives - them saving mine and me, theirs.
With my new home in Victoria, I am dedicated to creating a sanctuary for my winged friends, planting the yard full of lipstick bushes. Especially as "Sweet Pea" is set to be torn down, potentially disrupting their existing habitat. As a token of my love and gratitude, I have decided to name the house "Hummingbird," complete with a sign showcasing the magnificently green-toned hummingbird I once rescued.
But in truth, it's not me who did the rescuing. The hummingbirds, with their grace, agility, and indefatigable spirit, rescued me, taught me valuable life lessons, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Likewise, pickleball also helped save me. Over time I have found that most pickleball players I have encountered all express many of those same Hummingbird characteristics: grace, agility, stamina, resilience, spirit, energy, joy , inspiration, determination , etc. Thus the creation of Hummingbird Sport. So when you see the hummingbird logo , “ see yourself” , the epitome of grace and joy. That’s what makes this game so much fun and its participants so great!
Howard Haugom
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