Belonging

So this is not the exact bird that I saw in my park running this weekend, but it's the same species of bird. I saw two of these birds, feral parrots, apparently, or parakeets, snuggling in the frigid air of the South London park, and it drew me out of my jog into a full stop as I quizzically stared up at the tree branch thinking Why beautiful birds? Why? You could live anywhere! Anywhere! It's SO cold! You don't belong here... 

At this point I felt pretty dumb staring up at the trees while all the joggers I had previously passed ran by me, so I pretended to stretch while I watched the birds snuggling in the frigid winter air.

I thought, if you've got a buddy, you could probably belong anywhere... and the one bird facing me pondered me back with the one-eyed way of birds when they look at you and sit really still, and eventually, the other bird, who was nuzzling my admirer, turned around and watched me as well, as if to say, Do you mind? We're nuzzling here! 

***

There's a new fox in my neighborhood. How do I know he's new? Because he walks everywhere looking terrified... all the other seasoned foxes know the alley cats' territory, know who walks around drunk, and where all the good bins are... plus, this guy is still pretty plush and clean looking. 

I was walking home from the gym and I saw him sneaking under a fence (foxes always look like they're sneaking somewhere) and he stopped and stared at me with his gorgeous, suspicious yet knowing fox face--is this creature dangerous?--it seemed to think, taking me in. I did what I do with all nervous animals, don't make eye contact, and go about my business as though I'm ignoring it... it shows dominance and sometimes makes them think they haven't been spotted... but he knew. 

How can the feral parrots (saying that will never get old) just so naturally fit in to the atmosphere at the park, all of their body language saying this is my tree, back up off!--and my lil friend the fox seem so out of sorts, as if he knew he should be hiding behind a barn in the countryside, preparing to snatch a chicken? 

Because, let's face it--what's natural isn't always what's literal any more .. I mean, parrots are tropical... and that's just the tip of the iceberg... So methinks that perhaps belonging is a state of your mind, your heart, rather than the biological or natural or expected state of circumstances. I'm not just talking nuclear family either. 

Belonging is more than just the extended people who accept you for you--it's being able to grow and use your gifts and accept others' gifts. It's the barter system of love and community that goes way beyond the social contract. 

After feeling like London was home, but that I didn't belong here... I'm finally starting to know what that feels like. ::warm fuzzies::