Fran Dancing Feather

How many of us have had reoccurring or individual dreams about being inside a house and trying to accomplish anything from running away or towards something or interacting with others in some inconceivable way? Dreams about houses have to do with the sheltering of the human soul. We often unconsciously work out conflicts in our dreams and form ideas that can be used in the material world of the daytime. We do this without ever consciously remembering it. In our sleep we are completely free thinkers and dreamers who often form solutions to conflicts, face fears and joyous events without reservations. This is why our elders often tell us to honor our dreams and visions that are born within the human imagination and sheltered by the soul.

Our various Tribal cultures contain many stories about animals, fish and other creatures of the natural world. Many of our stories are about the winged ones, birds of every size and lifestyle from the tiniest Hummingbird to the great Eagle. Birds share a common characteristic no matter whether they are tiny or huge. They fly above us, in a place elevated from the common stresses and conflicts of human existence. For this reason, many believe they are better able to touch and communicate with our Creator. Feathers from many birds are considered sacred by native tradition. If I find a feather on the ground I pick it up and place it in a higher place above my head, like in the branches of a nearby tree or the top of a high fence. I do this because birds of every type come from a place above me. If they loose a feather, I have some internal desire to put the feather in a higher place then I found it, as a sign of respect for wisdom of the bird people.

Our grand-kids have constructed a couple of birdhouses that we have put between the branches of trees outside the windows where we can often appreciate the artistic craftsmanship and gifts from the youngest members of our family, as we enjoy our morning coffee. A bird built a little nest in the one outside the dining room window and we enjoyed watching Mama bird as she fed her young until there was a horrific windstorm that sent the nest of baby birds crashing to the ground. We tried to save the one surviving young bird but sadly had to bury her a couple of days later. Her untimely death was not in vain however. We were inspired by the event to begin a project to save the wild birds from the unforgiving winds that so often assault their delicate nest-homes out here in the mesquite grasslands.

We were taught a long time ago that whenever we take something from the earth, we must offer something in return that expresses our gratitude for the generosity of nature and our Creator, who never stops producing beauty, building materials, medicines, water and absolutely everything else we need to survive on this land. Our recovery has also taught us that in order to clear the path for greater spiritual growth, lasting recovery and awakening, we are given the opportunity to give back to the creatures and all growing things and resources of nature. We have decided to build elaborately decorated sturdy beautiful birdhouses to shelter the souls of the winged ones who bless us daily with their songs and friendship. We have bright paint colors to express the colors and designs of our native culture. We will place the birdhouses outside every window of our home and the meeting room where we host 3 Red Road meetings each week. We hope the birdhouses will inspire others who come for recovery, to honor the great gifts of the natural world. We know that it is an eternal truth that if we honor the mountain, the mountain will lovingly care for us. It always has and always will. Just as our home shelters our body, mind and spirit and the meeting house shelters the soul of our 12-step recovery, the birdhouses will shelter the souls of the birds and hopefully inspire and delight the souls of all those who visit this place.

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