Persistence (or insanity)

I put my garage door up early each morning as I go out to get the paper and give Kitty a little outdoor time. It remains open until I leave for work or to take James to school - maybe 30 minutes.

That's the way it was last week. I hustled James out to the car when a bird flew out of our garage. Following her flight path, I saw that she had built a nest. On the garage door opener motor above my car.

Perfectly sensible place for a nest, if you're a bird. Outside, it poured rain. The garage was nice and dry, protected from the wind. The location of the nest was isolated - no predator could climb to that box suspended from the ceiling. It was probably even a little warm from the light that glowed beneath it. I decided to leave the door up while I drove James to school.

Arriving home 10 minutes later, she had added significantly to her home. Long shreds of what was once blue and white rope hung down, brushing the top of my car. She flew out as I pulled in.

Randy investigated a bit later. No eggs, so the nest came down. He generously put it in the tree by the garage, in case she came looking. Problem solved, if you're a human.

But that bird would have none of it. Three days later, I again left the door up as I got the morning paper and ate breakfast. Once again, by the time I left for work, she had constructed a bit of a sloppy nest with long strings hanging down, pillaging the old nest in the tree for materials. She flew out, I closed the door.

Hours later, when I opened the door, in she streaked to the nest.

Randy removed it all once again this morning. Time will tell if she gives up or he does.

I marveled at her persistence. Door open, door closed, she waited somewhere nearby to get in and continue what she had begun. Her entire morning's work brushed away by a guy on a ladder didn't even deter her. I prayed that I might have that kind of dogged determination to work for good.

Then I smiled. Maybe it's not so much persistence as inexperience. Maybe she was one of those baby birds who fell out of the nest and landed on her head. After all, sometimes it's not a good thing to keep doing the same thing over and over, especially when the door keeps shutting in your face.

Maybe it's better if we learn from our failed efforts and try something new.

That was my philosophizing thought. The reality is, new is a little frightening and sometimes I'd rather repeat and repeat and repeat those things that get me nowhere rather than try something else. Insanity, someone said, is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Persistence? That's a good thing. Insanity, not so much.

Wonder which lesson I need from the bird?

What I do know is that while Randy is quick to sweep the nest away, I'm secretly rooting for her to succeed.

Now, do I leave the door up a little longer tomorrow?