Moon Over Monterey, California
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” ~ Epictetus
Winged Messenger
3:42 a.m., the only sound piercing the night’s silence is an owl, a low-chested hoot that reflects the bird’s size. The low hoot is followed moments later by a younger, higher hoot, lacking the confidence of the former but still rich in timbre. This exchange between winged acquaintances, possibly even lovers, has a calming effect on my nerves. The current political situation, along with the dismantling of our environmental protections, has a way of overtaking me with anxiety in these early hours.
This hooting has a leisurely pace to it. If the high hoot isn’t quick enough with its response, the low hoot repeats to encourage a reply. Their calls in the hush of night have become a familiar presence. These winged neighbors, with their sharp minds and wits, never seem riled up. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful, and I wonder why I let the world’s craziness get to me in the middle of the night.
I open the window wider to hear these night-loving creatures a bit better. I use a lot of energy worrying about things I can’t change, but it’s not the first time I’ve felt this way. Trying not to worry is like telling yourself not to think of an elephant. These owls aren’t out all night carousing—they’re working. An owl has to kill numerous times a night to make a living. That’s a lot of mayhem, but they still manage to hold this calm presence in voice and character.