Every morning on my way to and from work I am guaranteed to see this one sole wild turkey milling around people’s houses near a busy intersection by an elementary school – mind you this is the middle of an upper class suburban area. Most of these people have probably never seen a real live turkey, nevertheless have one as a resident.
I find this turkey to be hysterical. This poor guy has somehow wandered into this neighborhood and made it his home. How odd. I mean I thought turkeys liked to live with other turkeys, but not this guy. Sometimes he looks like someone’s lawn decoration because he is standing so perfectly still. Granted, this would be an odd lawn decoration. Pink Flamingos are strange and tacky enough, but who in their right mind would want a Lawn Turkey? Other times he is wandering around from house to house, corner to corner seemingly oblivious to the traffic light and cars around him. Cars honk, and he doesn’t even flinch. He just carries on with his business.
About a week ago I saw him laying on his side. I thought he was in trouble because it looked like he was struggling to get up. So what do I do? I call the local animal control and ask for them to make sure he was okay. Apparently he was preening himself and perfectly fine.
It’s not like I’ve never seen a live turkey. On my college campus there is a whole family of them. I even saw the head male turkey with his feathers all puffed out trying to attract the 7 or 8 females that were running around like crazy. They were fighting over who got to be closest to him, which made him hold his head higher. Yes, I’m a little special when it comes to wildlife. And yes, I sat there and watched this mating ritual for near a half an hour.
I’ve also been close up with several black bear, deer, raccoons, skunks, birds, and many others kinds of wildlife. But for some reason this turkey has managed to endear himself to my heart with his daily routine. Each time I see him, I smile, even giggle. As I’m writing this I can see him in mind’s eye walking with his head bobbing back and forth and knobby long legs carrying that large round body of his.
My little turkey friend loves his solitary life. He is perfectly happy with no one bothering him, sunbathing on the lawn, standing on the corner as if he is awaiting the crosswalk sign to change, and well just being a turkey. Maybe my adoration for him is his daily reminder to me about simplicity - To live life enjoying the moment, without a care, perfectly content with your surroundings, and just being. Maybe it is in this simplicity that I can see God smiling down on us, and trying to let us know that life can be this simple if we would only allow it to be.
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