Over the last month, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting a mallard duck’s nest in the planter attached to the front of our house. It’s her third visit to our house, and the second brood that’s hatched in our planter. The first was in 2020. 

It was so fun to see her each day sitting on her eggs. She covered the nest with leaves and feathers so we weren't sure how many she laid. 

She was curious and cautious with us. We never fed her or gave her water. She’s a wild duck and we wanted her to remain wild. The only thing we provided was the planter and a pot of hostas to help block the view of her from the street. 

Each morning and before we went to bed, we would check on her and the nest. My daughter even wanted her last day of school picture taken with the duck in the background.

For four and a half weeks, she sat for hours. She sat so peacefully and patiently watching the world pass by. While she was waiting for those eggs to hatch, she had only three things to do: eat, hang out at the creek, and sit on her nest. 

She was so patient not pushing the eggs to hatch. She sat for hours. 

It struck me how often are we mindful of what we are doing throughout our day? Or how often do you stop to take it all in and just be? Watch the birds fluttering around your yard or the park? Or the clouds rolling by? 

It can be so easy some days to feel like you’re moving from one thing to the next. And when we do take the time to stop, even if it’s just for a few minutes, many times what’s waiting in our minds is the next thing on the list for the day.

What if it’s time to sit and observe the world like Mama Duck? 

We as a society struggle to be in the moment. And we feel guilty for “doing nothing.”  We’re either on our phones or thinking about the next thing on our schedule. We’re afraid of being alone with our own thoughts. 

Mama Duck’s sitting was all worth it. On the Friday before Father’s Day, we greeted 11 sweet fluffy ducklings. They hung around the nest until the next morning when Mama was ready to get them to water. (Fun fact: Mama mallard ducks must get their ducklings to water within 24 hours of hatching.)

It was when I reflected back on her month in front of our house how attentive and patient she was waiting. I’ve taken some lessons from her the last several weeks to slow down and have more quiet time than normal. Not time in meditation but just time to be quiet. 

I invite you during this busy and joyful time of year to slow down and just be in your own flow. Stare out the window, sit on the porch, watch the birds, lay on the ground. Just be patient with yourself and don’t rush the time.