A Story of Birds, Family, and Shared Joy by Alisa Sides
I grew up on a 185-acre farm, where caring for animals was simply part of our daily routine. As long as I can remember, we had birdhouses and feeders in our yard. My parents loved feeding and watching birds. It wasn't a hobby they picked up later in life. It was just something we always did. I didn't decide to love birds. I grew into it naturally, because it was all around me.
When my dad noticed the number of bluebirds starting to decline, he decided to do something about it. He began building bluebird houses by hand. He even used old car tags as roofs so they would last longer in the weather. That small detail still makes me smile. It was practical, creative, and very much him. My dad has been gone for 11 years now, but four of the houses he built are still standing on the farm.
Carrying On
When my dad passed away, there wasn't a big discussion about who would take care of the feeders. I just did. Filling them became part of my routine, the way it had always been for him. It didn't feel like a chore. It felt like continuing something important. Every few days I'd go out with the bag of wild bird seed, and I'd think of him. It made me feel closer to him, in a quiet way.
As my mom's health began to decline, I moved the feeders closer to the window so she could still watch the birds from inside. I wanted her to have that same joy without needing to walk outside. Those small changes meant a lot. Sometimes love shows up in simple adjustments.
A few years ago, my family gave me my first smart bird feeder with camera for Christmas. Now I have three. The COOLFLY app became something my mom and I shared. She loved opening it and watching the birds up close. During some difficult seasons, those moments brought her comfort. We didn't always need to talk much. We could just sit and watch.
To this day, birds bring me peace. When I see a bright red cardinal, I feel like my loved ones are saying hello. It may sound simple, but it's real to me. In a quiet way, the birds make me feel close to my parents.
Slowing Down and Seeing More
Before I had a smart bird feeder, I would watch backyard birds through the window. I thought I knew every visitor to our yard. But once the camera was installed, I realized I had missed so much. I started seeing different kinds of woodpeckers I had never noticed before. It felt like discovering a hidden world in my own backyard.
Backyard birding has taught me to slow down. Even on busy days, I pause for a few minutes to watch a hummingbird hover or a finch land lightly on the feeder. From March through October, the ruby-red hummingbirds visit us, darting in and out so quickly they almost look unreal. They amaze me every single time.
Of course, it's not always peaceful. Raccoons have declared my feeders their personal all-you-can-eat buffet. They eat the feed and sometimes tear things apart. I'm constantly trying to outsmart them. It's become a bit of a game between us, and honestly, it keeps things interesting.
Even during some of the hardest seasons of my life, the birds kept coming. Their routine didn't change. That steadiness gave me something to hold onto.
A World Connected by Feathers
One of my favorite parts of using the COOLFLY birding app is seeing birds from all around the world. It amazes me how something so simple can connect people across different countries and time zones. We may live far apart, but we all feel that same excitement when a new bird appears.
I love posting my videos and reading the comments. It feels like sharing a small piece of my day with people who truly understand the joy birds bring. Those little interactions make birdwatching even more meaningful. I enjoy helping others learn about the birds in my area and pointing out the small details that make each one special.
Several of my friends have bought camera bird feeders after seeing mine. They know how much my parents loved feeding and watching birds. They understand that continuing this tradition is one way I honor them. Sharing that love with others keeps their spirit alive in a very real way.
The Moment I'll Never Forget
There's one memory I don't often get asked about, but it's one of my favorites. One afternoon, my family was sitting on the back patio when a yellow finch landed right on my dad's hand. We all went still. The bird stayed there for a moment, calm and unafraid.
It felt like the bird was thanking him for years of care. It was such a simple moment, yet it meant so much. It reminded us that kindness given to nature somehow finds its way back.
Birdwatching has taught me to pause, breathe, and notice the small, beautiful things. It has brought me peace, joy, and a sense of closeness that I truly cherish. Through birds, I stay connected—to nature, to others, and to my parents.
Some people leave this world.
But love finds another way to fly back to us.
1 thought on “Through Birds, Love Carries On”
Kade
Thats beautiful