A Mouse Tale (Tail?) Part 4

The saga continues...

Thank goodness Papa Bird’s hospitalization lasted only two weeks before he was set free. It was a long and arduous road for the entire Bird family. Two older fledglings who had left the nest to start new nests in a community an hour’s drive away came to visit every day while Papa Bird was recuperating.

Things gradually returned to normal. Papa Bird was very fortunate in that the damage to his heart was minimal. We had to make few dietary adjustments which was fine since we would benefit from the changes. Very light exercise. No stress. No more smoking. Papa Bird had been a smoker for over 40 years. Started when he was in the army. Had tried a few times before to quit but with varying results.
He couldn’t smoke in hospital (smoke free) and hasn’t smoked since coming home. Perhaps its because
Mama Bird threatened to cut off his wings if ever picked up a cigarette again! More likely it was his desire to see his family grow up. He was also told no snow removal. No prolonged periods in extreme cold. Where do we live??

Papa Bird felt better day by day and the question came up, could we take that vacation in January? The doctor was consulted. Papa Bird was progressing well and we had a few months to go before the trip. So we had clearance for the trip. Little did we know how it would change our lives…

The summer and fall quickly past. Harvest came and went. And before we knew it Christmas had arrived. The fledglings had come home to roost. A merry time was had. And soon, plans were under foot for the impending vacation. The fledglings were a little disappointed that they would not be accompanying us on this trip. It would be first time ever, that Papa and Mama Bird left the fledglings for this length of time. It would be a whole week! Just imagine that!

Arrangements were made with the Sparrow family to come and stay with Big Bird and the fledglings while Mama and Papa Bird were away. Big Bird could probably handle the situation under normal circumstances, but she was getting on in years and wasn’t in the best of health. Better to have able bodied help nearby. And besides, Mrs. Sparrow is an excellent cook. This would men that there would be three adults and 7 fledglings sitting down to dinner every night. Things would be cozy for sure.

Everything was packed. Don’t need much for a tropical vacation. The truck was warmed and ready to go. But the weather was frightful. We would be leaving early for the airport since it was three hour drive normally but with the snowstorm and high winds, it would take longer. Hopefully the roads wouldn’t be closed.

We made it to the airport with an hour to spare. Parked the truck in long term parking and got the shuttle bus to the terminal. Is this really happening? After all we had been through, we were actually going on a tropical vacation!

We boarded the plane. An Airbus. You know why they’re called airbuses, don’t you? A school bus with wings! That’s why. Not much leg room for Papa Bird. Nor wing room for that matter. Papa Bird held Mama Bird’s wing for the entire flight. How romantic, you say. Maybe. But it could be that Mama Bird is terrified of flying! Yes, Mama is a flightless chicken. Five hours on an airbus can seem like an eternity!

We were hit with a blast of hot and humid tropical air when we disembarked. The air was filled with the sent of fresh rain and tropical vegetation. Papa Bird had this huge grin on his face. We had arrived.

A shuttle bus from the resort met us at the exit gate. We were loaded and the escort informed us to relax because it is another two hours to the resort in Puntrenas...

To be continued...