“The Little Visitor”

As an avid observer of another culture, I am always on the look out for those “special” moments.  The timeless moments, packed full of emotion that the busy work-a-day world may be missing or have forgotten.

While sitting in a bustling cafe on a sunny summer’s afternoon, enjoying a coffee, the air was suddenly filled with laughter.  Birds are always frequenting the alfresco cafes which line the streets of most European towns in the warmer months.   They hop about stealing bits of stray bread or happily receiveing a free hand out.

On this particular day, a rather gregarious aviary character came and visited with each cafe patron in turn.  Sipping water at one table, sneaking cookies at another.  This little visitors joy was infectious.  There wasn’t a person on that day who was not affected by this happy exchange.

The man in the photo, Herr Philipi, is a regular at the cafe and when I gave him a copy of the image he was overwhelmed with the memory of that special day.  One morning early, we woke to the ring of our door bell.  There was Herr Philipi smiling on our front porch.  He wanted to give me a copy of his latest book, being a poet and a lover of nature himself he felt we shared this connection.

I am always amazed how these simple moments balloon into greater moments and new friendships.