Let Them Fall

Sometimes, life lessons show up in the most unexpected places.  Today was one of those days.  And it was in our very own backyard.
Reilly and I went out back this morning to enjoy some time in the pool before the sun was blazing and our events for the day got started.  This was our first time in the pool, so I climbed in with Reilly and sat near as he was playing happily with his buckets and shovels.  I happened to glance towards the bird nest that is up against the back of the house and saw the four very hungry baby birds with their beaks pointed toward the sky waiting for mama robin to return with breakfast, I suppose.
As I was keeping a close eye on Reilly, and also facinated with the baby birds, I watched mama return and nudge one of the babies towards the edge of the nest.  I immediately starting saying, "No, no, no" to the bird, as if it could speak Kori.  A glance back at Reilly assured me he was still happily dumping water down his belly out of his favorite purple bucket.  I continued my study of the birds, and looked back in time to watch mama bird PUSH THE BABY RIGHT OFF THE LEDGE. 
My heart was torn...do I grab a happy, squealing, having fun in the sun baby, and run and rescue the bird, whom I thought for sure was going to be injured or dead or just chalk it up as one less robin in the world and believe there must have been a reason that the mama shoved it out of the nest. 
Mom instincts took over, and I remained in the pool, Reilly non the wiser.  I did however, stand up to see if I could spy the baby on the ground.  Sure enough, I began to see a "bounce, bounce" through the somewhat tall grass, with another robin nearby.  Mama stayed in the nest with the other three, watching closely from her "bird's eye view!" (HA!)
For the next 35 minutes, I watched that baby bird explore the grass, the trees and the fence.  It was bouncing all over the yard, taking very small flights, all under the careful supervision of another robin, (maybe daddy robin???)
As odd as it was to sit and watch this bird, (and birds aren't usually my thing!) I began to think.  Sometimes, I just need to let Reilly fall.  There could be a whole world of exploration awaiting for him when he hits the ground.
 I think it is every parent's instinct to walk closely, protect, defend, pick up, and hold their little ones close to keep them upright and safe.  But maybe, just maybe, they need to fall once in a while.  Maybe we just need to be close enough to give a kiss if they don't land gently...
What would have happened if the mama robin didn't push this little guy out of the nest...would it have left on it's own?  I have a new goal this summer...I'm going to let Reilly fall (at least once!), I'll just make sure I've put pillows down first!  :)