Written for Throwback Thursday, Hosted by Maggie and Lauren

This week Maggie asks us –

What makes you feel lucky? Is it a four leaf clover, a rabbit’s foot, or a lucky penny?

I have never been superstitious except in silliness. I.E. As a child chanting, “Step on a crack you’ll break your mother’s back!” Which no one ever believed, obviously.

I do notice omens, when they happen; especially in animal form or by animal spirit guides. A lot of these teachings are handed down within the American Indian tribes. My grandmother was of the Saux and Fox Tribe in Tama, IA. An omen, or foretelling happened when nature sent a signal and the tribal leader or medicine man paid attention.

Should a flock of birds swoop down suddenly from the north, more than likely a cold, winter storm was on the way or in the summer, a mighty thunderstorm. If all of the animals came rushing out of the forest at once; a forest fire could be blazing or worse, a mighty army was headed toward the village. All were signs of something about to happen, an omen, a foretelling.

For myself, the majestic hawk has always stirred my senses and asked me to pay attention to my feelings, my circumstances or the area surrounding us.

Just a couple of weeks before Christmas, I moved. It was more traumatic emotionally than I expected and physically demanding. Then, my daughter and her family had to cancel their trip down to spend Christmas with me because she had contracted COVID and was extremely ill. Christmas was less than lack-luster as I was in a new place, alone, with my Christmas tree still in its box in the guest room.

The beautiful hawk came a couple of days ago and not only came but stayed a good thirty minutes. He sat across my back yard on my neighbors deck railing. I stood dead still at my back door when I saw him and I was sure he’d fly away. But he did not. Instead, he turned his head very slowly and stared right at me for the longest time.

After that, he flew to the ground in my back yard and started stomping before hopping quickly out of the way. He was hunting, patiently with perseverance and the fortitude of experience. When he finished his task, he looked at me then flew to the highest peak of my neighbors home where he sat regally looking over his hunting grounds. When I looked down at my camera and back up, he had gone.

My message from Hawk? Persevere, never give up and keep reaching for that next highest peak. Who am I not to heed this omen?

Aho