September 20, 2026
Morning Reflections
When You Start Noticing…
There’s something beautiful about being celebrated.
This Sunday morning, before I even made my way down the pier, my little feathered friends were lined up on top of the lifeguard tower waiting. And the moment they saw me, everything seemed to come alive. Wings started flying, little personalities started appearing, and once again I was reminded how special it feels to be recognized and welcomed every single day.
There was a time when I walked right past these birds without really noticing them. I had no idea what I was missing.
Now I know their personalities. I know who will come running, who will wait patiently, and who absolutely refuses to be ignored. Pegleg was there to greet me, and of course Honey Girl came sneaking up from behind like she always does. Then came the wings. So many wings.
When you start noticing things, things notice you.
Maybe that’s one of the most beautiful lessons they’ve taught me. When we slow down enough to pay attention, an entire world that was always there suddenly opens up.
This morning also brought a reminder of why I keep trying to clean up around the pier. I found a little pigeon tangled in string and dangling from the pier. Thankfully, I was there at exactly the right time and was able to free him.
He shouldn’t have had to go through that.
Fishing line, string and other debris can cause so much unnecessary suffering. These little lives matter, and something as simple as cleaning up after ourselves can make a tremendous difference. We can do better for them.
Afterward, I stretched out my hand full of peanuts and here they came, piling in with all that excitement over something so simple. How could I not smile?
And as I was leaving, there they were again, lined along the railing as if sending me off until the afternoon.
“May good things come to you.”
Sometimes they come quietly.
Sometimes they were there all along, waiting for us to notice.
And sometimes, they come with wings.
Forever grateful for another beautiful morning.
Capturing beauty, sharing light.
—April
