Thursday Seeds | Mourning with the Doves

What’s your first thought? Mourning with the Doves.

That’s what is sounds like…when Doves cry.

But if you know much about birds, and doves are more common than most but not as much a nuisance as pigeons or crows. They make a sound that is lonely and communicates solitude to most humans. It’s like it’s hardwired, this sound being considered lonely but in fact, birders know that this sound is about mating. It’s a mating call given right before sex. It’s foreplay, this sound to the doves. 

If you watch them, the one doing the calling is about to hop on the female to do the “deed”.

Crying. Hopefully I haven’t offended you. But the idea of this being a lonely sound is the direct opposite for the bird. They are procreating!  Counterintuitive isn’t it?

This sound might not even seem lonely to you. It might give you a sense of comfort. (Another counterintuitive thought). What if this sound is the equivalent of:

“It’s going to be ok.”  “I know you are down for the moment and that’s ok. And you are ok. And it’s going to be ok.”

That’s another round of thoughts on doves that aren’t in mourning at all. They don’t cry when they are lonely… or do they? 

Isn’t that the point of a mating call?  

Comfort in the sound. That’s what I felt on that day at the beach when the huge house was quiet. I felt left out even though I knew I made the right choice. This mourning dove sound helped confirm it. It was the encouragement I was missing.

Live your life because things change. Maybe the song is right.