Birds and People and A Walk I'll Never Forget
Pay attention and you'll find a story to share.
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My name is Tanner Olson and I am an author, poet, and speaker. Here I share whatever comes to mind. Sometimes I’ll post a prayer or poem or reflection or story. Before you move onto the next thing hit the subscribe button!
I think this post deserves a short disclaimer.
Recently I’ve been wrestling with writer’s block. I don’t have much to say, but I still want to say something. I want to write even though I don’t know what to write about. When I find myself in seasons like this I tell myself to go find a story.
When I pay attention to the world stories are placed into my hands.
Like this story.
What you are about to read is not a poem.
It is not theological or insightful.
I won’t even say it is is good.
But I left the house, watched the world, and wrote down what I saw.
And that is a win.
Birds and People and A Walk I'll Never Forget by Tanner Olson
It was dinner time when I saw a bird kill another bird out our front window. I watched a hawk swoop down, pin a tiny gray bird to the ground, and carry it off and away. I didn’t know birds did this to each other. I was shocked. Disney never prepared me for a moment like this.
This is when I changed my plans and decided to take Pancake for a walk a few miles from our house rather than around our neighborhood. I grabbed the leash and we hopped in the car to drive to a local park. Pancake loves riding with the windows down and I love it when he is happy. Plus, we were far from that killer bird.
The park was only a few minutes away, but it took us twice as long to get there. Nashville is good at many things and traffic is one of them. These days nobody accelerates when the light turns green. Most wait a few seconds before putting their car in motion. I have learned they do this for one of two reasons.
One: They are on their phones. Everyone is on their phone. We cannot simply just wait for the light to turn green, we have to keep busy. I do this, too. My hand just reaches for my phone. I can’t control it. I’ve tried. It has a mind of its own. I’m addicted. I know this.
Two: They are waiting for cars to stop running the red light. Everyone is running red lights these days. I don’t know if it’s a new trend, but we now live in a world where rules are now suggestions.
We got to the park and walked the loop. I watched for birds as Pancake watched for squirrels. This dog loves squirrels.
We didn’t make it very far before we passed a young couple. They were holding hands and in their 20s. They were not walking, but strolling. They had nowhere to be but right where they were. They slowed down to a stop as Pancake passed and the girl asked if she could pet him.
I smiled and said, “Of course.”
“What’s her name?”
“Pancake!”
“What a perfect name for her. She’s so pretty.”
I didn’t have the heart or energy to tell her Pancake was a boy.
I was tired and no one likes to be told they are wrong, especially by a stranger.
I thought the blue leash and collar was a giveaway, but I guess not.
You know what they say about assuming right?
Up ahead were 7 deer hiding in the woods.
“What’s that?” I asked Pancake.
This is a trigger question for him.
His ears go up and back straightens before he pulls forward to find out what “that” is.
Pancake gave me a look that said, “What’s what, Papa?”
I refer to myself as Papa. I don’t know why I am telling you this, but I am.
An elderly man ran past us and I wondered if I would be able to run at his age.
A duck crossed the trail and Pancake pulled again.
We passed another couple.
She was wearing a shirt that said, “Blessed by God. Spoiled by my Husband. Protected by both.”
He was wearing a camouflage that said in big bold letters, “YOU CAN’T SEE ME.”
But I could.
I saw a bird chase another bird and looked away before witnessing another homicide.
We passed a woman who was loudly talking on speakerphone about how peaceful her walk was.
Two little boys rode by us on bikes, speeding fast, making noises that little boys make. I made noises with them. Pancake looked at me and said, “What the heck, Papa?”
I met a man and his golden retriever. We were about the same age. We talked for a few seconds before Pancake wanted to “hug” the man’s dog. I think this man and I could have been friends, but how do you make friends with a stranger? How do you ask, “Would you like to be friends?” What if the man is a serial killer? What if he is a Patriots fan? What if he would try to get me to do yoga?
We rounded a corner and made our way back to the car. From a long way off I noticed another young couple. They were attached at the hip, step in step. They were in love. I don’t know if they knew it, but I could see it from 25 yards away. She held his hand with both of her hands. He was smiling even when he wasn’t. They slowed down and she leaned over for a kiss. Just as her lips were leaving his, a bird swooped down, hit the man’s hat clean off his head, and flew away. She let go of his hands, pushed him away, and ran towards us screaming.
Pancake stopped and hid behind me. His eyes followed the bird before saying, “What the heck, Papa?”
I knelt down, pet Pancake on the head, and said, “Blessed by God. Spoiled by your Papa. Protected by both. It’s okay.”
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Love that you’re Pancake’s “Papa”!!
Absolutely love this!!! You must write the book “Stories Placed In My Hands”… Please!!!!❤️ 🙂