It was a cold dismal late afternoon in Edgecomb. A soft thump sounded on the picture window outside in the damp cold. My husband slowly opened the storm door, peering outside. The small, limp body of a tiny hummingbird lay on the gray deck. He bent over, gently scooping up the pile of warm feathers. Carefully carrying it inside. The tiny wings of green and gold fluttered, like a faint breath. He gently carried the bird out to the porch, placing it on the hummingbird feeder. By now, eyes open, the creature had woken up and was able to hold on to the red feeder perch.

Over the next hour, the hummingbird held on, occasionally drinking the sweet liquid food. Suddenly two other hummingbirds appeared at the feeder. Their wings fluttering at warp speed, taking gentle sips, checking on their friend. Fluttering close and peering at the quiet form. Back and forth from the lilac bush to the feeder they flew. Each time they checked on their friend. After about an hour, the small quiet bird turned upside down on the perch. We gasped, expecting the worst; to see the tiny collection of colored feathers fall to the ground. But No! The two friends arrived, one fluttering in close to the still form. Poking at the quiet friend, fluttering and chirping a language known only to them. The bird righted himself and flew to the heart sun catcher next to the feeder. After resting for a few minutes, the two friends arrived again. Amongst fluttering wings and chirping, all three of them flew to the lilac bush, a favorite resting place.

Over the next hour all three of the birds flew back and forth from the bush to the feeder, drinking their fill of the sweet food. Each time the injured bird rested a moment on the heart located next to the feeder, as if thanking my husband for caring.

This event was a gentle reminder that we all can make a difference; one person, one hummingbird at a time. His bird friends cared and my husband cared. We all just have to care, to stop and help whatever person or creature is need. This is how our world will become a better place. All because someone cared.