Looking For A Seagull

I remember as a boy playing in my backyard and watching a few seagulls flying around.  I ran inside the house, grabbed some bread from the cupboard and went back outside to feed the birds.  I held the bag in my left hand and with my right hand I would reach inside the bag and break off small pieces of bread and greeted my new friends with treats-o-plenty.

It didn't take long for the birds to warm up to me.  Within minutes I had them eating from my hand.  Initially, there were only a few of them, but before long more and more seagulls were circling overhead and eventually would come to partake.  All were anxiously awaiting the feast I was so willing to provide.

I was so excited about all of my new friends and they just kept coming.  There were birds all over the railings, the lawn, the patio, the deck chairs and the most impressive sight were the scores of them landing on the roof of the house.

I would get upset when I would see a bird steal from the bird I was feeding.  I tried to tell them there was more where "that came from." and I made every effort to feed each and every one of those birds their "fair share."

When the bag was empty, I told them all to wait and I would get more.  I ran inside the house and grabbed every bag of bread my mother had.  I continued to feed.

I believe a neighbor must have witnessed the event and called my mother to tell her I was about to be a victim of a Hitchcock film.

My mother didn't share the same enthusiasm about feeding the birds as I did.  In fact, she was quite upset.  I was sent to my room where I could then only watch the birds from my bedroom window as they slowly made their exodus after realizing I was no longer coming back.

I reflected on this childhood memory after seeing and hearing seagulls today.  Seagulls are an indication that Springtime is near and the long winter is finally drawing to a close.  Bring on the warmer weather and goodbye Old Man Winter.  The seagulls are back and I've got a bag of bread.