It’s easy to lose sight of what matters most in life. We might get so wrapped up in the details of our day that we forget to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. With traffic, chores, errands, meetings, and a few missed coffees, the meaning that we once held so fervently might soon go away. It might be jarring to realize that we live in a marvelous and lovely universe brimming with majesty and conflict.
When a family in Southern California discovered a wounded Western Screech Owl laying on their doorstep one morning, it was made very obvious. The bird had collided with a home wall and suffered damage to his skull.
The family quickly learned the owl was blind and transported him to the neighboring Sylmar Wildlife Learning Center. The owl was carefully nursed back to health by the center’s skilled animal lovers.
The owl’s most amazing feature, though, was his beautiful eyes, which resembled a pair of flashing night sky. Looking into his eyes, lovingly called Zeus after the Greek god of the sky and thunder, conjures up images of a beautiful night loaded with stars.
We are happy to report that Zeus is doing well thanks to the Wildlife Learning Center’s team.
Unfortunately, it would be unconscionable to release him go due to his disability, but don’t worry. Zeus has made himself at home in a trunk on top of a file cabinet at founder Paul Hahn’s office. He has subsequently grown to be one of the Center’s most charming members.
Perhaps that only goes to demonstrate that an owl’s glittering eyes contain the magnificence of the entire cosmos. Take a look at these owl’s stunning eyes and tell us you aren’t immediately enchanted. Despite the unfortunate circumstances that led to our hearing about Zeus, we are grateful that we did.
He’s given us a chance to reflect on the beauty of real struggle in a world that could just show itself if you look hard enough.
