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Array
(
[sid] => 22205
[catid] => 1
[aid] => mick
[title] => THE OLD MAN AND HIS BIRDS
[time] => 2003-08-22 05:45:00
[hometext] => I loved this old man.....this is his story. [bodytext] => "Twas Cross Country skiing one day..... On the other side of Mt. Werner, Up Steamboat Springs way. "Oh, this is God's Country!" I thought. Sunshine beyond bright, Sliding along on "Champagne Snow!" It was so named, 'cause it's mellow and light. Conditions were perfectly ideal! Like skiing in heaven on clouds...... Only this was for real! I was suddenly famished, in need of a meal! My backpack, including snow shoes, sleeping bag, and survival kit, had instantly become too heavy! I had to find a secluded place to sit. I noticed a ledge about 6 feet down hill. Nice place for Brunch.... Quiet, serene, and still. As I glide my feet along, I saw a rather large patch of red. Becoming visibly larger as I approached. It was a man seated above my head. I was cautious, as lone skiiers should be. Did he see me? Perhaps I only saw him? Whatever, I was going to go take a look and see? Snowshoes for traction.... I traipsed up the other side of the peak. Without eating I was feeling quite weak. He was standing there at the top, to help me stand on my feet. This man in red was like no personage my eyes had ever beheld. He was so kind as he reached out his hand. I could feel the love in his heart, as he helped me to stand. Dressed all in red from head to thighs. Yet, all I could see was his huge blue eyes. More blue than a Morning Glory Flower. So deep and amiable like open windows to his mind, I could see the kindness he sows. Trying to catch my breath....... The next image my eyes took in, were three birds perched securely on his clothes. They too, were friendly, They didn't fly away as I rose. Observing his companions, I still spoke no words. A Red Cardinal perched on the fur of his hat. Large Dove on his left shoulder, and on the hand that held his cane, a Big Blue Jay sat! The only thing i could think to say.... "Are you the Bird Man?" His smiling reply was, "Yes, I think you could call me that today!" Then he replied, "Please follow me inside." The entrance to his home, was a huge Mountain Pine bent sideways, and packed down with snow. He explained why he had prepared it so. "The winds aren't gentle up here you know. The gusts are so strong, They enter my house and bring in lots of snow!" "You are the first person to visit me, for about two months I guess. In the deep of winter I get even less." My eyes were trying to adjust to the darkness of his home, carved out of the Mountain, it was solid stone. He handed me a lantern. The glow of which, lit up his countenance. His hair was as white as bleached cotton. His eye brows were bushy and untrimmed. They grew across his nose, and met his side burns with no close. His white moustache took on a glow, that extended to his white beard down below. His skin was chapped, wrinkled, and tough. You could imagine his life, 'Twas more than just rough! He invited me for tea, and possibly lunch? He assured me he had plenty. In his own words, "A Whole Bunch!" He seated me before a small table, As my eyes adjusted, I was better able to surmise..... Before my very eyes, skins of an animal, stretched tautly over two pine branches, Very practical and unique! A fireplace so high and vented from below, He explained the underground stream, for fresh water and even steam. "Wonderful for 'spit-baths', the steam helps keep you warm, while you get 'Squeaky' clean!" Just then the kettle for tea started to scream.... His birds took off and flew as a team. "That's the only time they ever leave me," he'd explain. "Now, and when we are outdoors and it starts to rain!' His tea was so robust, with quite a "kick!" I couldn't drink it without food, I was afraid I'd be sick! His deer stew didn't have that 'wild taste' at all! "Twas no secret," he said. "You keep it frozen and don't thaw. then broil it over the fire, while it's still raw. I began to notice the temperature rise. I had to shed some of my clothing. "Therein lies," he said, "This home of mine, built into rock keeps the temps about 70 degrees all year round!" I was amazed as I gazed around. Wonderful home for such an understanding, kind man I'd found. He sat closer and began to talk about his life. His father died before he was 3. "It was just me and my Mother. She was a good woman you see..... Somehow, she ran the ranch without anyone. until I was old enough to help get the chores done." "I've always loved people, and wanted to help those in need. So we sold the ranch, and Mother was freed. A small house in town for her we found. She was surrounded by friends all around! I'll never forget the first day of college. My Mother taught me at home, through out my life.... To see a teacher in a class room, caused me so much strife. I wasn't sure I'd have the courage to return the next day! But I did, and I made myself stay!" The hours were long, the years lingered along... In my day we didn't know how to give up! We remained in the saddle, studying hard, and remaining very strong! "Have I told you about my little wife?" I assured him that he had not.... to please proceed....this was probably the best part of his life! She was tiny even in that time. Most beautiful locks of red hair. Her character was flawless, very fine. She too was a Dr. and also a woman so kind. I saw a butterfly land on her shoulder. She stopped dead stll. "Afraid of frightening the poor thing!" she said! I knew at that very moment we would wed!" "I grew to love her more deeply with each passing day. We graduated together and headed this way, toward Steamboat that very night. We were the first Drs that Steamboat ever had, Because there was two of us, everyone was so glad!" "This probably doesn't mean much to you, The year was 1918.... But that was the year of the Spanish Flu. Worse epidemic the world ever knew! I remember people remarked, about World War One..... The troops that returned, never really won!" 30 million people succumbed. The majority of them died right here in this land. That's more than any other epidemic... In the whole history of man!" I hadn't realized this, I was appalled with shock. His eyes became distant, as he continued to talk. "My wife and I didn't see each other for days. We sat with our neighbors, held their hands to raise, not only their spirits, but try to relieve their labors!" They died so fast, the ground was frozen hard. We couldn't bury their bodies, so we laid them in their yard!" "My wife became quite ill. I sat by her bedside, one day and one night. She was weak from helping others. She took her last breath before daylight!" "Did you say your name was Connie?" I replied, "Yes, that's right." "Well, Connie after she died, I didn't care if I even tried. There were so many and I wasn't able to save any! Just one old friend of mine out at the ranch. They called me to him....... immediately, just one look and I knew his chances were dim. He took down a big bottle of booze... He said, "What can I lose?" My friend was so drunk.... He fell face down in his bunk! I was sure he'd die before noon. He was better the next morn, had no plans of dying soon!" "He was the only survivor around here of the Spanish Flu! To this day, I'll never know, if he would have lived anyway. Was it the liquor or just his 'lucky day!'" I then asked "You didn't get it at all Dr. Crawford?" His face grew dim, and from under his eye glass rim...... looked directly in my eye and said, "After she died I wanted to die too! It was the most horrific thing to go through!" "How long did it last?" I asked. "Raged on for near 6 months to a year. Then one day we awoke, the whole village was clear!" "Our hospital up on the hill had to be burned down. We burned it with the dead bodies, to the ground. It was packed with layers of dead friends. Families, with no one left around!" "We prayed we did the right thing. Perhaps we took away "death's sting!" Cremating the bodies and the flu bug at the same time. At least we thought of it as a good sign!" "And your Mother, Dr. Crawford?" I inquired. "She was just like me, never sick and as healthy as she could be. Wonderful woman all of her life. She lived comfortably, and died at 93!" "My last living relative was me. I never remarried, had no desire. She still resides right here in my heart, and will, 'til the day I die, we'll never part!" I was suddenly overcome with grief! I could see he was calm now, after sharing, he felt relief. "Did you remain in town as their Dr.?" I kindly asked. "Yes, I remained there for over 50 years or more. I couldn't walk down a street anywhere. Without seeing someone I had delivered. Each year about four score!" I said, "That's a lot of babies, Dr. Crawford!' He smiled with a wink and said, "Yes, you're right. I stopped keeping count, while I was ahead!" "One day a young chap came to chat. A young Dr. from Denver. Looking for his own practice... I set the lure, and of course he bit, and was hooked for good! He ended up being a fine Dr., as I knew he would!" "How did you manage to end up here?" I asked. "I was Cross Country skiing near here. Only closer than you. That's when this cave came into view. I knew this was where I wanted to stay! I love living out here this way. My three birds, deer, and wolves I befriend. It's here I'd like to be, when my life closes, and will end." "Remember my old friend at the ranch? He and I go back to my school days of study. He brings me supplies every couple of months. I'm pretty self-sufficient, have very few "wants" There are many canyons in this cave. My buddy knows when he gets here to call.... If I don't answer, he's promised to look after my birds and I know to him, those aren't just words, These are his promises, that I can depend! You see he is that kind of a friend!" I'm having difficulty finishing his story. I'm not only writing though my tears, but all of his years! He was a man worth knowing.. A man I'll never forget! On my head his beautiful Red Cardinal will always sit. Like him, his calm Dove, is on my shoulder left. His Blue Jay on my right. Some days his Blue Jay is ornery, and out of sight! But when they hear my teapot sing, as I brew his favorite tea. They fly all around my living room and make such a fuss! They know his spirit is here....and, He's about to have tea with us! This is a true story. Created by Cheri Cam LeBren August 2003 I met Dr. Crawford in 1966. He was a great friend whom I dearly loved. [comments] => 8 [counter] => 187 [topic] => 31 [informant] => lovingcritters [notes] => [ihome] => 0 [alanguage] => english [acomm] => 0 [haspoll] => 0 [pollID] => 0 [score] => 0 [ratings] => 0 [editpoem] => 1 [associated] => [topicname] => StoryPoetry )
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