Over nine years, this little guy has become an irreplacable part of our home. He’s been with me longer than I’ve owned the house; longer than I’ve been a Christian; longer than I’ve known my wife; longer than I’ve held my current job. He’s always been there when I’ve been sick or unhappy. He’s got more personality than you’d think a tiny little bird could hold. After some time to adjust, he’s become quite a cuddle buddy for Stacy, too!

The experts who write all the lovebird books say that lovebirds can’t talk. They should meet Scooter. He can say a few words very well, lots of words that only I can understand, and he knows what he hears. If I stay in bed on the weekend I can hear him practicing his words. He’ll say things more and more slowly, with the pitch of his voice getting lower, until he nails it. Then he gets so excited he goes right back to tweeting! I’ve read in multiple places that birds in the parrot family have a comprehension of a two or three year old. In his case I’d believe it.

Don’t misunderstand…having a bird is a lot of work; they require attention similar to a small child as well. You can’t just put them in a cage and treat them as an ornament; it’ll kill them. While lovebirds do not have to be kept in pairs, they do need interaction and stimulation such as new toys frequently, changing their surroundings a bit…things to keep them from getting bored. We also are very aware of open doors and/or windows (as in, there aren’t any) and any other hazards. Air fresheners and scented candles are toxic within minutes, so we don’t have any. Teflon pans, when overheated, will kill a bird in minutes as well. So we are constantly vigilant that nothing happens to our little guy, just as we would a child. With wings. Imagine the trouble they can get into if unsupervised!

Tonight we’ll celebrate with him by bringing home a sesame-seed bun from his favorite fast food restaurant. We’ll get in a good game of peek-a-boo, some of his favorite paper to shred, and then just skritch the feathers on the back of his neck until he falls asleep. A bird couldn’t ask for a better day…we should all be so easy to please.

I’d like to point out that a bird is also born for adversity. I’m down for the count with that nasty crud that’s going around. Having tried to fight it off, I finally gave up last night and retreated to the couch. But I had reinforcements!

Scooter, who’s going to be nine years old soon, is a faithful watchdog –er, watchbird. If I’m sick, he cuddles up under my chin while I sleep, fluffs up, and acts as lookout. Sometimes he’ll stand post on my shoulder or head, fluffed up and ready. He’ll take occasional latrine or chow breaks back at his cage, but then he flies back to couch duty.

Birds aren’t for everyone; they require ENORMOUS amounts of attention. If you do, however, consider a bird purchase, consider them as a little child. They need attention, conversation, and diligence. For instance, I’ve always let Scooter fly and have never clipped his flight feathers. The price for that, of course, is that I must be extremely meticulous about household hazards, open doors or windows, that kind of thing. And he’s never left out alone or while there’s a hot stove or other hazard in the house. But it’s a price I gladly pay for his company and the joy he brings our family. That’s especially true on a day like this.

On that note, I’ve got a fever and my soup is done. Back to the couch for both of us. Thanks to my wife for the picture.

Some people say the first year of marriage is the hardest. If that’s the case, it ain’t all that bad. Of course, we’ve been very blessed in that we have not faced a ton of adversity. I admit that, as a long-time bachelor, it’s been a bit of a challenge to change my ways. I’ve gone from 5 or 6 motorcycles to 3. My time is no longer my own and I can no longer fly by the seat of my pants; girls like to make plans. No problem. It may be a big change, but a worthy one.

The Bible tells women “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” That’s in Ephesians 5:22-24. Notice something important here: it tells this to the wives, NOT to the husbands.

What does the Bible tell husbands? “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” … “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” … “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” That’s in Ephesians 5:25, 28, and 33. Guys aren’t told “you’re the head of your wife.” We’re instructed to love them as we love ourselves. Not just that…we’re told THREE TIMES. Sometimes it takes us a few time to get it into our heads.

That’s just one example of what the Bible says about husbands and wives. It’s not intended to discriminate against women or render them subservient. It’s outlining the structure of a godly marriage. If both parties of a marriage fulfil their roles, things work the way God intended them to. If my wife looks to me to be the head of the house, I (assuming I have any character at all) will knock myself out to live up to that role for her. If I am a take charge kind of guy and take up my responsibilities as a husband, she can feel secure in letting me handle them. It just plain WORKS.

I, as any of the guys I know would say of themselves, have married a far lovelier woman than I deserve. I looked for her forever without success. I would pray for God to bring along a nice Christian woman to be my wife, then get up off my knees and try to find her myself. Only shortly after I finally prayed “okay, I will leave it up to you, I won’t try to do it myself,” that he finally brought her along. And I’m gonna love and serve her forever.

Don’t I have the cutest bird ever?