Aleena Norris: An Encounter with Beauty

    A large flock of small, black birds, hundreds of birds, flew back and forth hovering over the driveway in front of my house. They dipped down to touch the pavement, sitting there momentarily before taking off all together and flying back and forth in the wind yet again. They seemed to be in a kind of synchronous movement together, communicating silently as they danced in tune with one another.

    At first I felt awestruck. This had never happened in front of my house before, and birds have always been a reminder and sign of passed loved ones in my family. My aunt had passed away a few days before, I immediately thought of her, and felt her presence. I felt a warmth and knew that the flock was a sign that she was okay, and still present in her own way.

    Although death can be difficult, and losing a loved one is heartbreaking, I believe there is also beauty in the cycle of life. I had cried for the loss of my aunt, but I also felt a sense of gratitude for the ways that she had touched mine and my family's hearts in her lifetime. It was easy for me to see and feel the beauty in the scene before me. I saw beauty in the birds, but I also felt beauty in the cycle of life and death and love that they represented. 

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