Love In Unseen Places

‘Last night the owls visited 100 meters away. I was reminded of the owl that screeched to get our attention momentarily from movie watching when I was at the barn last summer with you. I thought they were the same ones. Remember the two that stealthily flew by us while we were talking in the woods spiritedly, then you noticed them watching us and said that has never happened before? There were two, and they were talking to each other after calling out to me.

Too sleepy to get up I thought I would send the owl determined to wake me up a little scroll message for you:

'I love you, thinking of you with a smile.'

Then roll it up and put it in his beak and send him off since you were close by.

Wouldn't that have been fun?’

I typed thinking perhaps, synchronistically, he was thinking of me fondly in that moment.

Days went by with no response…until…a message came through.

‘I sent a longer response to your owl email…. Did you get it?

With love

Michael’

Still thinking of the barn owl and feeling his absence I wrote:

‘Hi, Michael,

Good hearing from you.

No, I did not get it…did you send it via owl?

With love,

Mona’

Ten minutes later I received the following:

‘Very cute.

Sorry for the delay. Will write more later.

Have a great weekend.

With love,

Michael’

Why do we ponder over each line a person writes? I wondered as hope lingered in the air.

Then five days later I received another message.

‘Hi, Mona,

I have seen more wildlife than ever before. Yesterday at sunrise, there were four deer grazing. We just watched each other in peace and respect.

The neighbours have been talking about those owls from last summer. Especially the barn owl.

Not seen them before then. Not seen since. I believe the owls were here for you. They are your owls. Like angels. To watch over you. To share their wisdom and guide you in the right direction as you move forward.

You are with me in my thoughts and memories. I am sending you my wishes that you are building the life of your dreams filled with love, happiness, and joy.

You are a remarkable woman Mona. A star that shines so brightly…

With love,

Michael’

Was it a beautiful memory, now fleeting, or the reminder of love in unseen places?

Tears flowed down my face like the river flowing in front of his barn. The river we discovered while kayaking and laughing in the summer heat. Now still, like the starry night, awaiting new memories, and the return of the two night owls.

Why hasn’t the barn owl returned? Where did the owls go? I am curious.

The world has changed as people have distanced themselves. Perhaps the owls have done the same. Such a rare encounter, beautiful, majestic and awe inspiring. A moment that seemed so precious and blessed, now just a flash and distant. The moment made that much more special with the barn owl talking to us, screeching, connecting in person, sharing this beautiful earth with us, a moment that could not even be captured in a movie.

I can feel tears welling up in my eyes as I type. I look out the window to see a bare tree being rained on this cold day with only the warmth and hum of the electric heater filling up my room, and the memories of moments gone by.

Longing for the days when we can be together again, to hear your voice reverberate in the air, to smell the chocolate chip cookie you snuck into your mouth just before I gave you a warm hug, to see your eyes light up watching my smile increase after your long embrace, and then, perchance, spot our friend, the barn owl, perched up high in the tree by the river, content, at peace and feeling at home.