In the Shadow of Your Wings is my journey, through photography and writing, to building a nest of creative refuge; and offering a voice for those who have fallen before they could learn to fly. In many ways the nest symbolizes my own journey to self-empowerment, in which I have used both writing and photography as a medium to to keep my wings wide open–to explore and express both my artistic vision and journey to freedom.
To the casual observer, a bird’s nest is nothing special–a matted lump of twigs, and leaves high atop a tree. Or perhaps has fallen on the ground, and was carelessly trodden upon. In truth, a bird’s nest is a unique creation designed by the bird to be a place of refuge for her hatchlings. Most young birds do not live past their first birthday, so a nest is designed to be both a place of safety and a place to teach needed skills of survival. Nests can be built in trees, bushes, or buildings. While most birds use plants to build their nests, “Great-crested flycatchers add pieces of snake skin. Ruby-throated hummingbirds fashion caterpillar silk and spider webs into a tiny nest. Orioles use silk from milkweed pods” (Baby Birds of Minnesota). Bald eagles are known to build massive nests made of branches and sticks, some nests weigh as much as a ton. This is an amazing feat considering an eagle’s nest does not topple over, and carefully is balanced among high places. The inside of the nest is softened when the parent (usually the mother) plucks her own down to line the nest with.
Fledgling is the time when the chicks leave the nest. Young eagles practise flapping their wings many times before making the first flight away from the nest, “One day, a big gust of wind catches the bird’s open wings and whisks it away. The parents follow the young eagle on its first flight“(Baby Birds of Minnesota). When a young bird has learned to fly, it will learn to get food for itself, learn skills of protection, and learn to build their own nest–with perseverance, the first futile flappings lead to freedom.
Similarly, In the Shadow of Your Wings is a “nest” I have built to showcase my photography, and reflect upon the journeys shared within these images. It is also my intent to give voice to those who are not able to speak, the “hatchlings” who did not survive or those still fighting for freedom by raising awareness of issues concerning domestic violence, homelessness, poverty and repeating cycles of these. I personally have experienced these struggles and believe that “protection under His wings” gave me hope and courage to keep on when I did not feel I had the strength. The Lord’s guidance, and intervention by people who genuinely care, offered refuge when I was in need. As I stretch my wings, I will always remember the cold, bitter winds that attempted to throw me to the ground. I am strong enough to fly above the currents now.
Links/Resources:
Baby Birds of Minnesota, March/April 1994. By Janice Welsh. Minnesota DNR.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/babybirds/index.html
Borderline Personality Disorder Sanctuary
http://www.mhsanctuary.com/borderline/index.html
Child Abuse: Holli’s Triumph Over Tragedy
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Abuse/holli/index.html
Domestic Abuse Project Minnesota
http://www.domesticabuseproject.org/
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
http://www.ndvh.org/
Stop it Now! Together We CAN Prevent the Sexual Abuse of Children
http://www.stopitnow.org
World Network of Prayer
http://wnop.org
