By MARY TOBIA

This fall we put up a bird feeder that attaches to the outside of our kitchen window. We thought it would be fun to watch the different birds come and eat during the winter months.

It took at least three weeks before we saw a single bird come to eat. It was a small sparrow. Now it didn’t stay long, but to our delight it was back the next day (or one that looked like it).

Each day more and more came. It was all seeds and grains until one day a much larger bird came. This one was gray and brown and not of the sparrow breed. The bird assigned himself king of the bird feeder. We saw him dive in the feeder and chase all the sparrows away before he would start eating.

One day a little brave sparrow did not fly away, it just hung on in hopes that the large dominant bird would be too interested in eating to notice it was still there. The larger bird not only saw him, but also attacked him, and then we saw a small feather float off in the air. The little sparrow flew away and the larger bird went back to eating.

This made me think of our United States today. Why can’t we just get along? Why are there mean people in our lives? Where is the harmony, peace and love on which our country was founded?

In our Qigong class we were asked to start the New Year off with a word, just one single word. The word can be used to remind us of how we want to feel. I chose the word peace. As I decided on it, I thought of the peace I wanted for our country right now. A few days after I selected peace for our country, the Capitol was attacked. Good people who went to a peaceful protest that was overrun by ones who were rioters and were there to ransack the building. No peace that day.

In times like this I remember songs of love and peace that were so popular in my era, the 1960s. The ’60s were a tumultuous time in history. The Vietnam War, racial riots, Kennedy and King assassinations. A time of innocence and hope for our country seemed to turn into anger and violence. The ’60s ended with Woodstock where 500,000 young Americans came and “did their own thing” for one week on a farm in upstate New York. They believed in more love and freedom in the United States.

One song that comes to mind that was popular back then, but the words hold a lot of truth for today.

‘Get Together’

By the Youngbloods (1967)

“Love is but a song we sing

Fear’s the way we die

You can make the mountains ring

Or make the angels cry

Though the bird is on the wing

And you may not know why

Come on, people now

Smile on your brother

Everybody get together

Try to love one another right now.

Some may come and some may go

He will surely pass

When the one that left us here

Returns for us at last

We are but a moment’s sunlight

Fading in the grass.

(Chorus)

If you hear the song I sing

You will understand, listen

You hold the key

to love and fear

All in your trembling hand

Just one word unlocks them both

It’s there at your command.

Come on people now

Smile on your brother

Everybody get together

Try to love one another right now.”

If not right now - then when, I ask?