Our New Friend Lucy

Summary

John C. Davis writes about Lucy, a Muscovy duck who has chosen a flower box in their home as her nesting place, laying thirteen eggs, and the community's anticipation of the hatchlings' birth and journey to the nearby pond.

Abstract

The article titled "Our New Friend Lucy" by John C. Davis narrates the story of a duck named Lucy who has made a nest in the author's flower box. The community is eagerly awaiting the hatching of Lucy's thirteen eggs, an event that symbolizes the miracle of life for the author. Davis reflects on the rich wildlife in their neighborhood, including ducks, iguanas, birds, turtles, alligators, swans, and other creatures. He expresses a profound connection with nature, particularly the pond behind his back porch, which serves as a reminder of harmony and coexistence. The author is also intrigued by the natural instincts of animals, as he anticipates the day when Lucy will guide her ducklings from the flower box to the pond. Davis uses the story of Lucy to convey a message of trust in nature's processes and the care of a loving Creator.

Opinions

The author has a deep appreciation for wildlife and the natural processes that govern it.
Davis and his wife welcome the presence of wildlife in their immediate environment, allowing nature to take its course without interference.
The story of Lucy serves as a metaphor for the author's belief in the inherent capability of nature to sustain itself.
Davis finds spiritual significance in the miracles of nature, suggesting a connection with a loving Creator.
The anticipation of Lucy's ducklings journeying to the pond fills the author with excitement and reverence for the cycle of life.
The community in which the author lives values the presence of wildlife as an integral part of their daily lives.

Nature has a way of reminding us to be more gentle

Lucy our resident duck-Photo by John C Davis

As I walked outside my front door this morning, I turned to look at Lucy.

Lucy was right there looking a bit nervous about my presence, but she did not move.

She was committed. She was going to stay right where she was.

You see, Lucy our resident duck decided to make a nest in our flower box. About a week ago, she began to root out the flowers that my wife and I planted there. We had been hoping that a duck would take residence there someday. We did not actively make room for a duck to come, but we certainly were not going to stop one from making a nest there.

For 35 days our Muscovy duck Lucy will nurture and incubate the beautiful thirteen eggs she so lovingly laid there.

The miracle of life is taking place right outside our kitchen window, and I could not be more excited.

The community we live in is so full of life. We have ducks, iguanas, birds, turtles, alligators, swans, and an assortment of other miracles.

Closest to my heart is the pond that is right behind our back porch. I love sitting on this porch and watching the ducks and other life coexist together. The cooperation provides me with a living example of how we could all get along together if we made the commitment to do so.

This pond will eventually be the home to these wonderful thirteen ducklings produced by Lucy. Not all the thirteen will survive of course, but many will. And those that survive will provide us with lots of smiles and a warm heart.

The part of the story I have not mentioned is how Lucy will get her beautiful offspring from our flowerbox down our stairs and into the pond behind the building.

We have a neighbor who had a Muscovy duck nesting in their flowerbox. A video was provided to me that showed what happens.

After breaking out of the eggs, the little ducklings dropped off the walkway onto some soft ground ten feet below. After the last duckling jumped the mother led them all to the pond. To my knowledge, none of the ducklings were hurt in this transaction. Thankfully.

I share all of this because it is beautiful to witness nature. Nature has a way of taking care of itself. There is innate programming that is contained in the DNA of these ducks that provides a way for them to be nurtured. I do not understand how it happens, but it really is amazing to me.

I wonder what amazing nature experience you have had that reminds you that the world is taking care of itself. I wonder what the power of nature is doing to help you trust more in your life; to know that you are being provided for, and that you are in the hands of a loving Creator.

Lucy will be sitting on her eggs for another 33 days. It will be a glorious day when the little ducklings break out and go to the pond. I will cry for the wondrous miracle taking place right before my eyes.

Keep going Lucy and your beautiful children! My wife Rachel and I both love and support you.