Friday Show and Tell: Nesting Treasures

It's Show and Tell day over at Kelli's House! I'm relatively new to Show and Tell, and I'm already having a hard time finding things worthy of showing! I think my post today is a bit unusual, but it does have a great story to go along with it. At least, I think so. ;o)

I have a thing for birds' nests. I'm amazed at the intricate, detailed work that goes into them. I'm inspired by the care taken in the construction of these little works of art, designed for the specific purpose of comforting and protecting their young. Like this one, for example, a high-walled, cozy little cubbyhole, tightly woven with soft, grayed moss. My dad found this one abandoned in his garage, and gifted it to me.


Besides this little beauty, I have a couple of nests that grace my Christmas tree each year (I've heard that this brings good luck for the coming year). However, there is one special nest that holds a place of honor in my china cabinet, year round. This is the one with the story behind it.

The story begins with an ending. In April of 2005, my friend and companion of 28 years, my horse, Tristan, passed away at the age of 35.


It was expected at her age, but still, a devastating loss. I had spent most of my life with this animal, from age eleven to thirty-nine. We had spent countless hours together, from long, lazy trail rides to high-energy horse shows and 4-H meets. We'd been through it all, including the births of seven babies (three of hers, four of my own). We were as close as a human and animal can be. Happy times, sad times, she was there.

And then, she was gone.

Shortly after she passed away, one of my kids found a tiny abandoned bird nest near the little barn where Tristan had lived, loosely woven from wispy grass -- topped off with a generous lining of Tristan's soft, white hair. It's not the most beautiful nest ever created, but to me, it's a treasure. A precious reminder of Tristan that I still cherish today.