Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Thursday I dropped the kids off at school and was on my way to the San Isidro feria. On a curve, I passed what looked to be a dead Hawk in the middle of my lane. I swerved to go around it.I glanced back in my rear view mirror and I thought I saw it move. I pulled over and turned around. He was alive! I stopped the car went over to him and picked him up and held him in my arms. I took him quickly back to my car so we would both be out of harms way.Sitting with him in the car and spoke calmly to him. He was beautiful, more than beautiful majestic. I had an animal in my arms that had never had contact with a human being before let alone in one's car. His eyes were brilliant orange. He seemed in shock but not badly hurt. His feet were curled this worried me a bit but other then that he seemed in good shape. I told him I was going to take him to someone who could help. I drove to Los Alamos a vet that I have known and trusted for many years. We were about 20 minutes away. The hawks energy seemed to be improving on the drive. He sat on my lap the whole way there and when we arrived out front of the vet we had 15 minutes until they opened.I feel SO grateful for those fifteen minutes! When I stopped the car he was looking directly at me. I moved my hand from the steering wheel and I could tell that my sudden movements made him nervous. He opened his mouth and seemed to be ready to defend himself. So, we sat there and stared into each other's eyes for 15 minutes! I thought peaceful thoughts of him healed and flying in the sky where he belonged. I wanted to convey to him that he was in no danger and my only intention was love and for his well being. He seemed to understand. He closed his mouth after the first minute and relaxed on my lap. Still staring into my eyes but without the intense air of fear.

When the vet assistant arrived and came up to the car the hawk got spooked and flew to the passenger seat. The vet then said, "I will be right back with a crate for him". Once again I looked into the amazing animals eyes and told him it is ok. He allowed me to pick him up and return him to my lap. We stared at each other for a while longer.

When the assistant returned I placed him in the crate. He seemed to know everything was going to be ok, he trusted me. He didn't flap his wings or struggle. An emotion came over me that felt like sweet sadness. I was sad to leave this awesome creature but was full of gratitude feeling so incredibly blessed to be graced by its presence.

What an awe-inspiring experience. I can still see those golden orange eyes that looked into my soul ... I think I will see them for the rest of my life.

I later found out he was taken to the animal sanctuary near Dominical called Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary where he is well on his way to recovering!