The day was perfect! The sun was shining brightly, the sky was crystal blue and I was setting off for a week long healing course in Lily Dale with Tom Cratsley. I was only a half hour away from home on a back road highway (travelling a mere 90 km/hour) when three small sparrows appeared abruptly, then flew low and directly in front of the car. I closed my eyes as I hit one, and sadly looked back to see the wee bird on the side of the road. How could this happen on the very day I was heading off for a course in healing?   My heart sank and I felt anger, pain, and grief all at the same moment, and knew I must go back and see if the bird was still alive.

As I pulled the car off to the side of the road and turned on my flashers I was struck by the fragility and beauty of this remarkable, small creature. I reluctantly went over, stooped down and deftly cradled the bird in my hands. It was still breathing, but one of its legs was crooked and pulled up tightly to its chest, and I wondered what other unseen wounds this poor bird was suffering from. I stood for several minutes gently stroking the bird, cooing in its ear, and crying. I knew I couldn't leave it on the road to die, and took it over to the car where I carefully placed it on the soft folds of a blanket on the seat beside me. If I couldn't help it to live at least I could help comfort it in death with the knowledge that it was loved unconditionally by the person who had caused this terrible fate.

I set off again with my new friend beside me, tears flowing freely down my face, and with my right hand on the blanket nearby. I drove like this for an hour or so, shifting gears with my left hand...not wanting to move my right one...so the bird knew I was still present, caring, and sending healing energy and love.

I saw the bird closing its tiny eyes more and more as if in pain, and I was angry that this was allowed to happen on such a perfect day. How could I go in good conscience to a healing course knowing I had just killed an innocent creature?

I sent more energy and begged the bird to stay with me and regain his strength....so that I would feel better, and he could return to the skies. I was confused as to which was more important to me at the time, and felt the overwhelming urge to heal and make well. I stroked the bird gently many times and felt at one with its spirit. When I was in the depths of wanting to 'accomplish healing', a 'voice' came to me and told me it was not my 'right' to say what became of the bird. Perhaps the only healing that was to take place that day was a gentle, loving release of the bird's spirit into the great beyond. I became humbled.

Instantly there was an electrical charge and a tingling in the palm of my hands. Obviously my intentions were not proper prior to this point, and now I could begin to heal from the highest state of consciousness and grace.

I continued driving and staunchly kept my right hand beside the sparrow even though I experienced cramping in my forearm. The energy felt too strong and concentrated for such a delicate creature, and I urged it only to take as much as it needed at the moment. We drove on in silence and prayer for almost an hour when I began to see signs of improvement. The bird's eyes opened and were clear and bright. He rolled over on his damaged leg to look at me and I could see his frail body gradually gaining strength and transforming from the skinny battered creature I had scraped off the road, into a plump, vital one. The progress was steady, and although it seemed like an eternity since we had first 'connected' the actual linear time was remarkably short.

My eyes were on the road when all of a sudden there was a flutter and a flurry from the front seat, and the sparrow was now on the floor. Fortunately the driver beside me was alert and responsive, and moved quickly out of my way as I veered into his lane. As happy as I was with the sparrow's accomplishments, I urged him to stay put for his own health and recovery, and for our safety. At some time during the drive he flew into the back seat behind me and I turned to see him huddled beneath my garment bag. Although I longed to give him more room and freedom, I knew it would be best to let him stay calm and heal, and be hidden from the searching eyes at the border.

We drove on in peaceful harmony to Lily Dale....and arrived a mere two hours from the time of the accident. I drove immediately to the entrance of the magical forest within, Leolyn Woods, and opened the doors and hatch back wide so he could fly out. I pulled out blankets, clothes and suitcases, and finally found him underneath the passenger's seat. I cried...tears of joy at his recovery, and tears of sadness to see him go. Saying my goodbyes, I sent him love as he bravely, and full of vitality and life, flew off into his new home.