I’ve always been a fan of the unexpected…maybe that’s the writer in me…or…maybe…that’s what makes me write…I’m not sure…and…it’s one of those chicken and egg things…that can never be solved…so…we’ll leave it alone…for now…regardless…I like the unexpected twist…
I remember several years ago…before I ever started writing about Bertha…
watching a movie…don’t have a clue what it was called…may not have even known then…but…at some point…a man was crossing the desert…I think he was looking for his son…and…stopped at this pitiful little trailer…in the middle of nowhere…tumble weeds for grass…and…there perched…right by the steps…stood…a lone flamingo…
It had nothing to do with the plot…but…it’s the only thing from the movie that stuck with me…and…somehow…that subtle message…of hope in the desert…changed me…
When I did start to write about Bertha…she needed a symbol…that anything could be possible…and…it was…the flamingo…I mean really…if you could randomly come across a flamingo in the desert…what couldn’t you do…
But…it was also something that I thought I would never do…put plastic flamingos in my yard…that is…and…I say…thought…because…of course…my yard hasn’t been without a flamingo since…
And…so…Bertha’s…relationship with flamingos was born…it didn’t hurt…that the flamingo is also the symbol for the Florida lottery…which…I gave a very few dollars to…but…sadly never won…not that it really matters…I’ve gained so much more…than the millions promised to one lucky number…I’ve gained…perspective…hope…belief…all of which are…priceless…and…in their own ways…pay the bills…
I was delighted a couple of years ago…when a friend introduced me to…The Mojave Desert Phone Booth…I’d never heard of it…it was already out of commission…but…for several years…it had stood…and served…on a dirt road…in the middle of the Mojave Desert…
Now…the fact that there’s a phone booth randomly placed in the desert…is pretty unexpected…but…when I watched the youtube video about it…I saw it…a lone flamingo…craning its neck…through the broken glass of the booth…listening to the conversations…holding vigil when no one was there…I’m convinced that…Bertha…put it there…to…remind me…one more time…that anything is possible…
I’m sure…I will…continually come across…deserts…in my life…but…as long…as…there are…flamingos…perched along the way…I know I’ll be okay…
Jane
I got totally wrapped up in the Mojave Phone Booth videos!!! Fascinating!! And so cool!!!! Shame it was removed 🙁
I love the analogy – if a flamingo can be smack in the middle of the dessert – seriously – what CAN’T be possible?!?
Recent events in my life are teaching me that everything we want IS possible… the biggest thing that holds us back is a lack of belief in ourselves… If you feel it in your heart, then it’s meant to be yours… don’t let little mis-steps, or slight turns in the road completely de-rail your journey.
Jenn…
Thanks…I’m glad this spoke to you…don’t you love the videos…they are so cool…and…I have to wonder…if it wasn’t Bertha…who put the flamingo out there…awesome!
Bertha has a saying…there are no impossible dreams…only limiting beliefs…I love that she’s helping me let go of many of mine…even the ones that she has to pry my fingers away from…
there are no impossible dreams…only limiting beliefs <— LOOOOOOVE!!
Thanks Jenn…we seem to be on the same wavelength…again..no surprise…huh…
I love the flamingo story! I think I am going to find me a flamingo for my yard.
Thank you Betty…I think everyone needs at least one flamingo…regardless of what the neighbors say…LOL! Oh…I hear that Flamingos love…Texas…
Loved it! Anything is possible!
Thank you Peggy! I do try to remember that…and a flamingo in my yard is a good way to do it! Have a great day!
It’s great to have a symbol that people can relate to.
Thanks, Madison…we’ve certainly had a lot of fun with it this week!
Very nice to learn about how Bertha came to love flamingos.
Thanks, Tamy…it was a surprise to me at the time…LOL!