I have a story I wanted to share. My mom passed away not too long ago, and it's been tougher on me than I anticipated. Yesterday was particularly challenging, so I decided to take a walk. The trail wasn't anything special, and the soft sand made it difficult to navigate with my bad foot. But I persevered, eventually finding more solid ground.

As I rounded a bend, I unexpectedly encountered a wild pig or boar. Not wanting to get too close, I waited for it to cross before continuing. Soon, I reached a fork in the road and chose the left path. As I ventured down this leg, I paused to capture an image. When I turned to continue, I noticed a bluebird on the ground, just 5-10 feet away.

I froze, watching as the bluebird hopped into a nearby tree, so close I could almost touch it. It allowed me to move to my right for a better angle, away from obstructing branches. I picked up my camera, attached the visible light filter, and snapped a shot. The bluebird seemed to pose, turning toward the setting sun.

In that moment, it felt as if my mom was visiting me, offering comfort in the solitude of the South Florida forest. The bluebird appeared at my lowest point, and despite my mom's usual disdain for bluejays, this one seemed different. It landed in front of me, hopped to eye level, and allowed me to capture its image.

I spoke to the bird, shedding tears, and as I began to walk away, it flew in front of me, landing at my feet once more. It looked at me, then hopped off the trail, allowing me to pass. It was a surreal experience, one that brought unexpected solace.