Life and Freedom

How about I sink into quicksand, would that work? It won’t work, someone would pull me out. I could jump into the deep blue sea? I’d rather not, a shark might sink her teeth into me. I could eat a mushroom and shrink? Way to Alice in the Wonderland for my style. I could jump on a bus, but I’m not Gus. “Mr. Saint Croix, are you ready to share your book report?” The class and I are prepared to listen. Please begin Mac.” I could hear in Ms. Viviana’s tone, she was holding back her intolerance for my delaying class time. “I am ready.” I said as my eyes closed. I dropped my paper and it drifted downward. Clearing my throat I began the adventures and travels I had experienced while reading Jonathan Living Seagull. “I am standing on the top of a mountain, somewhere in Central America. Spreading my wings and calling so loudly that my voice echoes off of the trees, rides the wind, and drizzling down into the rainforest below. This book filled me with passion as I flew across the lands searching for my counterpart, Sir Jonathan Living Seagull. I am an extinct spirit looking for a home, I am Mac Saint Croix, named after of course the brilliantly beautiful Saint Lacroix Macaw of Puerto Rico. Jonathan taught himself to be extraordinary, and so shall I. Even after death, it isn’t too late. Just like my counterpart, Mr. Livingston seagull, I am seized by the passion for flight. Just like the Macaws, some Seagulls are an endangered species. The author pointed out that if I look with understanding, at what I already know, I’ll see the way to fly. Like the gulls in this book, I did just that and all Sumer I learned about the Saint Lacroix Macaw and the Seagulls. My older brother Gull is named after the exquisite birds of the sea, he is adaptable like them. I like Jonathan wish to be adaptable. My favorite quote in this book is, “You have freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, nothing can stand in your way.” Thank you Mr. Richard Bach, I feel inspired by your work.” Finishing I spread my arms wide. I bowed as I scooped on wing across my body. I sailed back into my chair. I looked down as everyone was standing up and clapping. I could see the parrot costume my mother intended for me to wear sticking out of my back pack. I shoved it under my desk with one foot. Refusing to cheapen my performance with a bird suite.

I ended recess early. I wanted to speak with Mrs. Viviana about my science project. I was disappointed, to say the least, when I rounded the corner and saw that she and the Principal were pointing at my book report and the drawings I included. What would a real Macaw do in my situation. I was walking into a trap. If he laughs at one of my pictures, I will deliver a very painful bite. Halloween is tomorrow and it would make for a great headline of a horror story. With a crushing force in mind, I began climbing to the top of a tall deciduous tree. “Mac climb down from that coat rack. Why don’t you go outside and climb on the monkey bars with the other children.” Ms. Viviana said as she helped my feet touch the ground. Principal Cadieux, in French by the way means little fighter, was standing with his hand cupping his chin and his forefinger across his mouth. “I am sorry Mr. Cadieux,” My teacher felt the need to explain my behavior away. “Don’t be Amire, I mean Ms. Viviana, this young story teller ignited my imagination. Good work,” he said as he patted my head, “Our little ‘Perroquet’ did his home work.’ A wink and a nod and he was out of sight. By the look on her face, he wasn’t out of mind. “Ms. Viviana I was wondering if I could continue my research of the Saint Lacroix Macaw for my science project?” She nodded yes as her eyes searched for his return. “Ms. Vivian?” She lowered her eyes slowly. I imagined I was her baby neonate, her little hatchling. “How does Jonathan Seagull have anything to do with your science project Mac?” Ms. Viviana looked like a mama Macaw poking her neck out of the nest looking for her mate to return with food. “Everything.” I replied. “Many parrots, such as the Macaw, are endangered. They are losing their homes. Can you imagine if someone took your home away.” I could see little birds flying frantically looking for their nest. “Mac you are already versed in this subject. I’d like to see you out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself.” Her words were like a blow to my chest. “My challenge would be to open the eyes of others. Their homes, the trees are valuable lumber. It isn’t enough that I know. Everyone must be educated.” She looked down at me and actually saw me. “She lowered herself to my level. “Where does a seven year old learn all of this information you have stored up Macaw?”

I had work to do. I put on my goggles, pulled my hot chocolate close to me and tuned in to my favorite show. I was ready to join the journey, encountering all animals, especially the topic for this week. This short episode combined science and education and adventure. After I explained and reminded Ms. Viviana that my father hosted a top rated kids show on PBS, she agreed I could base my science project on endangered species. The steam from my chocolate was obstructing my view. I pushed them upwards slowly, allowing them to rest on my head. My body leaned forward as my dad, Professor Efron, moved slowly so that his presence wouldn’t startled the young wild bird. “Now there is one sexy bird for you.” My mothers voice chirped. “Mom,” I cried out knowing the tickle monster was coming for me, and it did. She jumped over the back of the couch and tickled me singing the popular song rocking robin. The tickles slowed as I frantically caught my breath. “How was your report. Were you nervous?” She asked with love. “I got an A+ for the presentation. My Principal was there also, sitting on the back row.” I had just pushed my self back into place when my mother scooped me up for a well deserved hug. “What does my boy want for dinner?” She was great with affirmations and rewarding me. “Mama is going to check on Wren and Gully and make dinner. Off with that, finish your homework, wash up and set the table please.” She hugged me again and left to check on the baby. “Now,” she yelled out over her shoulder. How excited she will be to know this is my homework. I returned just intake to see the ending. My dad, Professor Efron, signed off saying, “the loss of any one species brings disaster to us all. The stability of our ecosystem relies on the complex interactions of all species no matter how big or how small. This is Efron Lacroix, mama bird, I’m flying home to you right now.”

It was a tradition that went back as far as five generations to name the boys bird names. Efron is a Hebrew name that means bird. My father is a doctor of small birds, and Avian. He is known as the top in the nation. When I grow up I want to follow in his footsteps. By the sound of our slamming door and the tossing of his skateboard, I think Gully will become a professional skater. At least his role model is Tony Hawk. Way to keep it in the family Gully, let your board fly high brother.

We all gathered around our table and talked about the weekend, our plans and Halloween. “Macaw did you know that the children in Puerto Rico also trick or treat?” My dad filled us up with knowledge far beyond our ages. Gully had his cordless headphones in, I could hear the Dodgers came muffled by his hair. “Wasn’t Mac conceived in Puerto Rico?” Gully asked, pretending to be invested in the conversation. “He was, that is where his name came from.” My mother replied, tapping on his shoulder and pointing at his ear piece. “Mom.” He stretched her name for minutes it seemed. “No electronics at the table.” My dad supported her. “The Dodgers are winning.” Gully knew this would get my dads attention. We were soon all in front of the TV. Mom would have complained but we needed a balance in our ecosystem. My dad and brother were huge sports fans. “What do you remember about Puerto Rico mom?” My dad winked and smiled at her. It was of course a ploy to keep her simmered down and motivated to watch the game and a good headway to tell us shed be traveling again. “I remember the beautiful colors, the crisp smells and the food. I’ll be there for a month or so this time.” Before the news left her lips, Gully was up from his favorite spot and leaving. “Where do you think you are going young man?” My father asked. “If she doesn’t have to stay, then why should I? They’re birds mom, we are your children.” He tried to hide his tears. “Gully, hurricane Maria pummeled that island. Your mother had to abandon her work because of the pandemic. She has to get back. It’s a humanitarian crisis.” Gully dropped his skateboard and grabbed the railing of our staircase. “So you’re going to just leave us?” He looked directly at my mother. “Actually,” My mother walked over to him putting her hands around his neck, your father and I thought you might want to travel with me?” Gully head fell onto my mothers shoulder. “It’s a chance for you and I to do our part, together, to help preserve all that makes Puerto Rico unique.” As she rubbed his back, she glanced across the room to check everyones emotional temperature. This was going to be really good for my science project. “Your mother has to share her gift with the world, she is a gynecology surgeon, her profession is in high demand. On her days off, I’ll let her tell you.” My dad backed off. “On our days off we can assist the scientist working to save the wild endangered Puerto Rican parrots. Uncle Lark will be there with us.” With that being said, we watched the end of the Dodgers. I do mean end, they lost and their season is over.

This is a new season for me. My mother and Gully boarded their flight and dad and I will master my science project. “Why did you choose the name Macaw Saint Lacroix dad? It’s extinct.” I made small talk as I painted my whimsical Papier-mâché Macaw. The art work was truly breath taking. We included the research center my mother and Gully were volunteering at. We also included normal Macaws nesting in the cavities of trees. In the research center we made a model figure of my mother and brother hanging nest from large trees for the birds to use. “Since Macaws are native to Puerto Rico and you were conceived there we thought it was fitting to name you this name, so that it can be heard and asked about for generations to come. Like the Macaws we also transported you long distances, from place to place. It is really hard to say you’re American. You have only lived on the mainland for a few years. Are you native or imported, like the Macaw we have to wonder.” My dad added a short film that showed people capturing the baby birds and selling them. We included a head piece from a museum to show that people ignorantly made head wear and killed the birds for their colorful feathers. We included poaching and habitat destruction. My dad being good with electronics added men cutting down trees to get to the birds. On the backside the birds were sold at $1000.00 each, the incentive was understandable. The saddest fact we include was that a Macaw generally lives for 60-65 years some live to 100 in the wild. When captured their life span is cut almost in half. Imagine a creation so beautiful with a wingspan up to 60 inches, crammed into a bird cage. My dad added a prison cell beside a bird cage, with a caption that read, “Picture you’re self caged in a featureless room. Might it drive you crazy? Life in captivity is a death sentence. The stress from loneliness and confident are unbearable. I am meant to fly, and be with my own kind. Please set me free and save me.”

The science fair came and went. I wonder how many people thought about the lone parrots sitting in cages, tortured by humans. Birds aren’t meant to be alone eating dried seeds and repeating our words. I could not wait for my family to flock together. My father and Wren were equally as excited. The door opened and hugs flew. Gully looked wiser. He didn’t smell so smart. My mother smelled like home. After all of us showered we settled in for the night to share stories of our time apart. Gully had exchanged his skateboard for some good books. “Many famous writers are dedicated to their fury and feathered friends. Mom and I curled up and read some fantastic stories on rainy days.” My brother boasted. “Living on the island brought me back to a love I had forgotten about, biology.” Gully gained some much needed confidence while he was away. My parents both stood a little taller. “I’ll have to spend more time studying, less time boarding. Seeing how others live, it will be worth the work. How was your science fair? Did your project get attention?” He asked now fully present. In conversation. “I’ll let dad tell you.” I answered. “Mac, I am sorry.” He rubbed my shoulders. “What did you do?” My mother asked slowly as her eyes opened widely. “What didn’t he do?” I replied. “The judges felt I may have taken over the project.” Dad said with his head hung low. “Dad, he didn’t place?” Gully was frustrated. He had suffered this same hostile take over from our dad when he was younger. “He placed. The project was rewarded a spot in the down town muesem.” My dad said arrogantly. “It became his baby.” I bellowed out. “Wren was orphaned and I was outcasted” I was playing the dramatics up a bit. “Efron, really. Why do you do this.Did you colonize your child’s project?” She asked as she pulled money from her wallet to tip the pizza girl. “Take a deep breath baby.” My dad instructed my mother. “You tell her or I will. Can’t you see she’s going to blow a fuse on her first night back.” he laughed as he pushed me to speak. I got the lead in our class play and Ms. Viviana wants me to be more dramatic and practice makes perfect.” I giggled. “So he didn’t take over, thats harder to believe.” My mothers eyes questioned our souls for truth. “Hardly lifted a finger is more like it.” I proclaimed as theatrically as possible. Just then my mothers eyes caught site of the life like Papier-mâché Macaw. Her eyes filled with tears. Her and Gully were flooded with memories that would last a life time. The Papier-mâché Macaw was so life like, from head to tail feathers she was nearly forty inches. I had spent days on her hard curved powerful beak. Her eyes longed for freedom. “She is so vibrant, what is her name?” She asked in a whisper. “Ivelisse. It’s Spanish for life.”