The Return

Sometimes it's the ordinary miracles that touch us most. So it was yesterday when we spotted a hummingbird at the feeder. It's always good to see these amazing birds return in the spring. But this time, we knew when they returned last year and were watching and waiting, filling feeders.

And then ... a little bird appeared. It was April 28 — the exact same day they returned in 2018.

Do they have little timers inside? Small clocks? What is it that tells them when to leave and when to return? What propels them across mountains and oceans, back to this suburban backyard?

I'm sure there are theories, actual knowledge. I've probably even read some of it. But I don't want to know about any of this right now. I'd rather just marvel at it all.