Bats


Amos our dog needed walking just after dinner last night, so I took him for a stroll down the street we live on. Normally, I take him down a nearby street’s public sidewalk but last night I wasn’t feeling up to the traffic noises and busyness—better to just amble a bit through the neighborhood and enjoy the last bit of light before dusk faded to dark.

I wasn’t feeling so great— I had a monster headache and was looking forward to getting back to the house and trying to get into bed. Letting Amos sniff everything in sight takes some time, so I was looking at the sky, the moon a perfect thumbnail growing brighter with every passing minute. There was a soft, cool breeze, and I could feel the tension in my head ease just a little bit.

Something small and birdlike zipped right over my head, then again, and looking around in wonder I saw at least 10 bats swooping and chasing through the air all around me. They were graceful and their movements gave the impression of delight in their dance as they wheeled, circled, dived, and soared.

For just a few moments, headache forgotten, the stress of the day lifted, and I simply marveled. Beautiful.