St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration

This upcoming weekend is the St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration. This is one of our premier releases each year. It's the entire experience we rejoice in: The masses of amazing women celebrating femininity and fitness together -- and the high energy that eminates from the city of Boise for blocks as we all gather there! It's quite the experience, and our birds surely feel the positive excitement as they soar with their own strong wings, to soar for us!

Because of the rainy weather last year, we chose to cancel the release. It was raining cats and dogs! Those wonderful women still had a very fun, memorable year! However, this year, the weather forecast looks stunningly gorgeous and A Breath of Heaven Doves, both the feathered and the human-type, are ready to CELEBRATE!

The race will take place in downtown Boise, right at City Hall, bright and early this Saturday morning, September 26, 2009.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I am so thankful my white birds can live in a spacious loft home -- a home they have a burning desire always to return to. They have room to fly at will. And then, when we open up the lofts, or they are released, they fly joyfully, freely, into the sky, to "dip their wings into the orange sun rays."


So, though I deeply embrace the symbolism behind Maya Angelou's beautiful words, I take them not only figuratively, but literally... I feel the hope behind them as the caged bird sings... and also the beauty of the truth and significance in comparing experiences with the human soul to the desires of, and heights that can be reached, by birds of flight.


~I know why the caged bird sings~

by Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
On the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.


The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Fly Away

This poem touches my heart on such a personal level. I've met so many amazing little birds who seem to have crossed my path in need of help. It was my pleasure and honor to assist them to their freedom. So many have been tiny little sparrows, still residing in their pink transluscent skin, too young for even feathers. Daily love, warmth, shelter, and feeding as they squeaked and bounced their awkward heads for food, built a place for them in my heart. But, yes that day always comes when they need to be set free -- to be encouraged to take wing and fly freely to live their lives -- just as they would have, had nothing befallen them and separate them from their parents. I love on them as much as is fair, and tend to them painstakingly, trying to mimic nature as much as possible for them. But alas-- the time to let them go (literally and figuratively) inevitably comes. And that is a day brings emotions you could surely guess...

There is warning of that day: They start exercising their wings instinctually. Like little helicopters, they flap harder and harder, bouncing off of any surface like they are skipping a jump rope. They grow stronger. Soon, they are fluttering, flitting about. As a child, I'd always thought the parents taught them to fly. But apparently, God fully equipped them with an innate prompting to fly, and how to prepare for it.

And so, in this poem, Paul Holmes outlines the feelings that course through me on "the big day." Through his words, I see that he has a "knowing" about the relationship between a person and a bird. And so, most comforting is his final line...

Fly Away by Paul Holmes, UK

Fly away, little sparrow,

Fly to the wide blue sky,

Enjoy your new-found freedom,

Of this I won’t deny.

I’m so happy to see your wing

No longer bruised and broken,

So pleased to release you,

Of this I’ve often spoken.

I’ve fed you with my hand,

Cared for all your needs,

Brought you back to health,

Fed you with finest seeds.

Your feathers were so dirty,

At death’s door you did appear

But, with a little kindness

You revived, to my great cheer.

So, now, with a little sadness

I send you back to your friends,

And as I watch you stretch you wings

A shiver down my spine it sends;

I’m happy now that you are free,

Back to where you belong

Perhaps you’ll return to my window-sill

And reward me with your song…

"To Paint the Portrait of a Bird"

"TO PAINT THE PORTRAIT OF A BIRD"

by Jacques Prevert

To paint the portrait of a bird,

Paint first a cage with an open door.

Then paint inside the cage

Something beautiful,

something useful to the bird.

Place the canvas against a tree

In a garden or a forest

And hide behind the tree

Without speaking or moving.

Maybe the bird will arrive quickly

But it could take years.

Don't be discouraged. Wait.

Wait all the years if need be:

the bird's quickness or slowness

will not affect the success of the painting.

When the bird arrives(if it does),

be completely silent and wait

until it enters the cage --

then softly close the door

with the paintbrush.
Erase one by one the bars

And, being careful not to touch

The bird's feathers,

Paint the tree,

choosing the best of its branches

For the bird to perch on.

Paint also the foliage

And the cool breeze

And the rays of the sun;

Paint the sounds of the animals,

The plants, the summer warmth.

Then wait until the bird decides

To sing or not to sing:

If not, it is a bad sign

And a sign the portrait is bad,

But singing is a good sign --

A sign that you can sign.

Very softly, pluck a feather

From the bird and write your name

In a corner of the canvas.

9/11 Memorial Dove Release Tribute

The Idaho Press Tribune's reporter Greg Kreller put together a moving tribute to the 9/11 Never Forget Golf Tournament in Eagle, Idaho which took place on September 11, 2009. The event was kicked off with a memorial tribute to those who lost their lives on that day and remembrance of how our lives all changed significantly because of the tragedy of that day. Included in the photography are pictures of our dove release. Here is a link to that piece: Never Forget Golf Tournament

"I will always remember the events of 9/11. They are indelibly etched into my mind and woven into the fabric of our country...and the world. I will always remember these things because, while I could never shake these memories from my consciousness if I tried, it's my duty to remember. Actively. Forgetting means dishonoring those who died (eight) years ago and those who risked their lives - some of whom paid the ultimate price - to save those in need of rescue. And that day, we all needed rescue." (Chris/RudeCactus.com)

Today A Breath of Heaven Doves released 100 beautiful, snow white doves in memory of those who lost their lives in that horrific event eight years ago. Kevin Gould of Boise Fire Department organized a fundraiser/memorial event in remembrance of all of those public servants who risked (and lost) their lives in order to rescue people they did not even know -- people in our community -- and that was enough for them: They went to rescue those beings because of their selfless nature. What would our world be without those amazing personalities, those rugged earthly angels in our midst?

Today's event at River Birch Golf Course in Eagle, Idaho, was titled "1st Annual Never Forget Golf Tournament." The registration form reads:

"This tournament is held in honor and memory of The Fire Fighters
and Police Officers and EMS personnel who died during service on
September 11th, 2001, and all the other public safety officers who
have fallen in the line of duty protecting and defending the safety
of the citizens of Idaho. Funds raised will be used to assist injured
officers and their families and support memorials for public safety."

My husband, Brian Knight, who is chaplain for Nampa Fire Department spoke and prayed over the events of 9/11 and for the public safety officers who serve our communities each and every day. It was a beautiful tribute. Once again, I am reminded how fortunate we are to live in our country and am astounded by the servanthood of those heroes who live and serve amongst us.