We incubated eggs on Ash Wednesday and guess what, 21 days later – they hatched! I mean, I read the articles, and watched the videos, yet somehow, I still thought it was a long shot. Sure enough, with the proper heat and moisture, nature ‘finds a way.’
It was the first time we tried to use an incubator and we had a few hiccups (Dad’s fault), but in the end it worked! What struck me was how amazing the process was. We watched the birth of these babies, emerging from a dot (bloodspot for those chicken people out there) in the egg in a mere 21 days. My younger kids were freaking out! It was a miracle!!! And indeed it was! And yet, the older kids, seemed uninterested. Why?
Why do we lose our sense of awe and wonder? Are we so distracted by the empty promises of the ‘world’, that we lose sight of the amazing things happening right in front of us. Things that, when we were a kid, would have left a memory for the rest of our lives. We see people we know take trips, buy beautiful things, share their experiences in movies and pictures – and we want this. But we miss so much of what God is bringing to us, because we want the same perceived status offered with these material possessions.
We may even recognize the pleasure ‘things’ offer is fleeting, yet we still pursue this path. I am the worst offender for sure! “This or that family did this so maybe we should be doing this?” Are we going to be perceived as bad parents if we don’t offer the same opportunities to our kids? Um, No.
My spiritual director reminded me that what our kids need most is us, present to them. They don’t need things or experiences happening in some theme park. They want us! They want us to stop what we are doing and look at them. And not with your right eye as your left eye stays on your phone. And above all ‘delight’ in them (Thanks for the advice Sr. Maria)!
So as I reflected on the four baby chicks in the cardboard box (one died – which is a beautiful lesson in and of itself for my little ones), I realized that even if none of my kids have ever been on an airplane (trust me, I’m reminded by them often so I can’t forget…), I did provide them a beautiful experience. They watched life, precious even in the lesser form of a chicken, come to our home. They held and cared for each chick and tried to help the one that was suffering. We didn’t have to go through security, fight any crowds or pay any extravagant amounts of money. And you know what, they will remember it (even without the scent of funnel cake in the air). There eyes were smiling and mine were tearing up. They showed me how to love something other than themselves. So we don’t have fun hats with mouse ears on them, but I think this was the better investment. Not that a trip like that is bad – we hope to be able to do this someday! But right now, their hearts are full and it is available to all of us.
So if you are inspired to try this at home – a word of caution. It may not stop with chickens. My son asked if we can get a rabbit next… “Um, ask mommy.”