Live From Jimmy Long

Just dropping by to say hello. Persia and I are absolutely wonderful!

I am a principal of a juvenile justice program here in Texas. I work with juveniles who are in trouble, and I attempt to give them another chance at life and happiness.

Today we had a parrot rescue group come to our school to present a program. They brought several birds and allowed the kids to hold and play with them after a very meaningful presentation. There were kids in this group who had not smiled in weeks. The touch and the mutual giving of bird and child brought many smiles upon the faces of the kids, and I saw tenderness and beautiful spirits both from creature and child.

The presenter told of the sad stories of each of the delicate birds. One beautiful Ducorp's Cockatoo had been kept in a very small dog kennel. It had probably been tossed into a wall or onto a floor and this greatly not only effected its physical stature but also it loving spirit.

She spoke of birds that once belonged to loving owners who finally just abandoned them when the "newness" had worn off. With the lack of love, poor nutrition, and little care, God's creatures had been mistreated.

The birds were introduced to the students one by one, and the kids knew of the pains these birds had suffered, because the hardships were much like their own.

I guess I am writing to say if you plan to bring a parrot into your life, please, please understand the time and love you must invest in the relationship between bird and man. I have discovered that one of the greatest joys in life is to love and be loved by these delicate, sensitive, and beautiful creatures.

If you have a child in your life or if you know of a child in trouble, realize that they too are sensitive and delicate. They need your time and love.

What a joyous experience I had today at my job. What a new and wonderful lesson I have learned!


My best to you and all your feathered friends!

Jimmy

PS. The head psychologist in my school is putting together a curriculum using birds with kids as therapy!


- posted by J-Birds @ 9:15 AM |