Wild Turkeys and Wilderness Ways
by Nita Gilger
Often wild turkeys flock together. Most of the time, several hens and their young will combine flocks. It is not uncommon to see 50 or more together. I had many turkey encounters while living for almost 11 years on a Texas ranch in the Big Country. Wild turkeys were abundant and very entertaining companions. When mating season was in full swing in the spring, it was even more fascinating as the toms strutted about with their full regalia and loud gobbles. Turkeys do not migrate. So, we had year-round turkey sightings with so many in a group that we sometimes had to come to a full stop for them to waddle across the road. They have great skills as they navigate their territories while taking care of one another. Wild turkeys can fly rather well for short distances which was completely frustrating to our English Springer Spaniel who desperately wanted to snag one.
I wonder how well-equipped we humans are for wilderness living. Perhaps that varies for all of us at different times in life. Sometimes I feel confident and strong. At other times, I feel overwhelmed and inadequate or frightened. The kind of wilderness living I am talking about is when life draws us into places we would rather not be. The cancer diagnosis comes. A sudden, unexpected or even protracted illness or death arrives in our family. Finances become challenging. Conflict pulls at our very seams. There may be Thanksgiving and Christmas tables that are not completely harmonious this season. Maybe there is an eccentric, combative family member or friend who will not leave well enough alone long enough for the meal to be enjoyed. Some tables will not have enough food to serve a hearty meal. Some will not have tables at all.
Can turkeys teach us anything about wilderness living? Maybe. In finding our way, it is important to stick together and care for one another. Turkeys do not try to go it alone in the wilderness. They depend on one another without the need for apology. Like flocks of turkeys, perhaps we must learn to fly when we need to fly and roost when we are tired and the night falls. Watch out for dangers and take appropriate measures. Deal with conflict to care for the greater good of all. Make sure everyone has enough to eat so that we all can survive and thrive. Take care of the entire group/flock. Leave no one behind. Work together. Feel the rush of walking together and making joyful, identifying sounds/gobbles. Celebrate our beauty and the very way we are created.
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle
or the mirror that reflects it. --Edith Wharton
I really don't know if turkeys love one another but they seem to get along just fine for the most part. But even turkeys can get aggressive and have a pecking order. As we come through a challenging time in our country, I still hope we can find ways to live in the wilderness with more kindness and care for one another and embrace causes that protect and provide for all--including the very earth we call home.
Love one another as I have loved you, says Jesus. It would seem we have some work to do. For this holiday season and beyond, I hope I can walk in the wilderness with the example of the turkeys and the brave love of Christ in all my actions, words, and deeds. I will do my best to err on the side of love.
I wonder how well-equipped we humans are for wilderness living. Perhaps that varies for all of us at different times in life. Sometimes I feel confident and strong. At other times, I feel overwhelmed and inadequate or frightened. The kind of wilderness living I am talking about is when life draws us into places we would rather not be. The cancer diagnosis comes. A sudden, unexpected or even protracted illness or death arrives in our family. Finances become challenging. Conflict pulls at our very seams. There may be Thanksgiving and Christmas tables that are not completely harmonious this season. Maybe there is an eccentric, combative family member or friend who will not leave well enough alone long enough for the meal to be enjoyed. Some tables will not have enough food to serve a hearty meal. Some will not have tables at all.
Can turkeys teach us anything about wilderness living? Maybe. In finding our way, it is important to stick together and care for one another. Turkeys do not try to go it alone in the wilderness. They depend on one another without the need for apology. Like flocks of turkeys, perhaps we must learn to fly when we need to fly and roost when we are tired and the night falls. Watch out for dangers and take appropriate measures. Deal with conflict to care for the greater good of all. Make sure everyone has enough to eat so that we all can survive and thrive. Take care of the entire group/flock. Leave no one behind. Work together. Feel the rush of walking together and making joyful, identifying sounds/gobbles. Celebrate our beauty and the very way we are created.
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle
or the mirror that reflects it. --Edith Wharton
I really don't know if turkeys love one another but they seem to get along just fine for the most part. But even turkeys can get aggressive and have a pecking order. As we come through a challenging time in our country, I still hope we can find ways to live in the wilderness with more kindness and care for one another and embrace causes that protect and provide for all--including the very earth we call home.
Love one another as I have loved you, says Jesus. It would seem we have some work to do. For this holiday season and beyond, I hope I can walk in the wilderness with the example of the turkeys and the brave love of Christ in all my actions, words, and deeds. I will do my best to err on the side of love.