P.S. You just never know

I don't have to tell you how bizarre these times are, because you are living them, too. I don't have to try to scrape up some cheerfulness because I'm a pretty straight shooter and cheerfulness is not easy to find right now, plus you'd know if I was writing BS. I do best when I just let you know what I'm seeing or thinking or feeling on any given day, because that is real and maybe that kind of real- my quirky writing, isn't as scary as what else is real all around us in this minute. So, here are a few observations from the front desk perch this week-

I left work to go home one day and nearly stepped on a thing- it was green and alive and I guess it gave off some sort of sonic signal because I looked down in time to miss it. I looked back to see why my foot had taken an unexpected giant step, and I saw a bird. A bird with olive green feathers just standing there on a brick paver, not saying anything, not peeping or pecking. He was just standing there, waiting to be stepped on, near the church for the sake of convenience for those who may lead his service to follow the final step-on. A depressed mystery bird. That is what I was thinking. "My God! even the birds are feeling the fear!" I thought out loud.

I crept my toe beside him and gave him a tiny tap and he hopped. "That's right, fella. Just put one bird leg in front of the other, or two together, that's the way. That's what we are all doing right now."
I tapped him again and he fluttered up about 2 feet and clung to a brick column by the door.
I stroked his tail with my pinky and he stayed there! Then I patted him on his head and ran a gentle line down his back and there he remained. We had a moment.

One of my bosses came flying out the door heading home. "Did you just pet that bird?" he yelled as he slammed on his own foot brakes.
"Yes, I did."
"Why is he letting you do that?"
I pet the strange bird again and whispered, "Because I am magic."
"OH" He started toward his car.
"And you should be very afraid." My words chased after him.
He threw me a glance but kept moving. "I AM" and then he was gone.

"Look, little guy- we're in this together. You are welcome to hang out around here, we're friends now, and friends help each other out. Why I feel better just knowing you these 3 minutes! Best part of my day!" I leaned in a little closer."Hey, Chirpy, I get it. I do. But the next time you feel like planting yourself in the way of oncoming traffic, do me a favor and grip a spell right here on this column, it's our special place now, and it's safe." I started toward my car when another staffer came out.
"Oh, he probably flew into the glass and got dazed, might have shook up his brain, dumb bird."
"Your Mom" I said under my breath as I walked to my chariot.
"Whadda ya mean?" the words stumbled into the grass.
" It's a joke, ask one of my daughters."

Pandemics and how they impact us, all of us.You just never know.