'Devotion' ~ A Brother's Legacy
This story was told by Barb Young to Galina Szakacs
David Thornton, DVM taught me what it means to be a Naturalist and to respect every living thing. Through my older brother’s life ~ and after his death ~ I learned to embrace the Natural world around me. The seeds of his teachings are woven into the fabric of my daily life and into my garden business where I am blessed to share and build upon Dave’s legacy. Each butterfly sighting in my garden transports me back to my childhood, romping through a meadow with Dave and our middle brother, Russ. Each with a butterfly net, competing to see who could scoop up the most beautiful beings for closer inspection. Even at the tender ages of 11, 10 and 5, we were learning to ‘see’ Nature.
As a Veterinarian, Dave was devoted to the health and well-being of animals and to his thriving veterinary practice in Ohio. His incredible medical talents eased the pain and suffering of thousands of small animals ~ healing cats, dogs, birds, turtles, bunnies, hamsters and the occasional snake. His knowledge and skills were also sought out by The Toledo Zoo, where he helped to care for the ‘big cats’. Many a lion and tiger benefitted from Doc’s adept, gentle hands. To Dave, every creature was worthy of our care and attention.
When not working at his clinic, Dave immersed himself in his ‘wild place’ ~ a custom timber frame home in the middle of a 5 acre plot of woods across the border in Michigan. No mowers or power equipment could be found at his home. The native plants, trees and grasses were permitted to grow, to thrive, to die and to decay in their natural rhythm. When the winds were ‘just right’, his front property would be flooded by nearby Lake Erie. While we sometimes feared the high water levels as they approached closer and closer to the house, the threat would soon recede, leaving an abundance of nutrients ~ and great Blue Heron ~ in its wake. This approach resulted in an incredibly rich wildlife habitat, sadly absent in our highly manicured suburban neighborhoods today.
For many summers we travelled from New Hampshire to Michigan to visit Dave and to witness the mighty power of this habitat. Fond memories include relaxing on the wrap around deck to see fish swimming among the tall grasses below and to observe what seemed to be a million fireflies flashing and lighting up the evening sky for hours and hours on hot July nights. The incredible firefly pyrotechnics were accompanied by the hypnotic, high-pitched chorus of tree peepers, small amphibians who thrived in this natural setting. Even higher above the dazzling light show were dozens of bats circling and diving around and around in the night sky, devouring their favorite insect ~ mosquitos. The peepers and bats were grateful for a meal, and we were grateful for their presence as a natural ‘pesticide’. Fox dens under the deck turned out cute ‘pups’ in the spring, helping to control the rodent population, and deer grazing through the woods was a daily sight. It was the Greatest Show on Earth and admission-free to any and all nature lovers!
And of course, there were the birds, which he adored as much as the dogs and cats. Dozens of species lived on his property, feasting on insects and caterpillars and filling the air with flight and song. Looking back, I wish I had listened more carefully to Dave’s patient explanation of each type of bird, how they lived, how they raised their young, and their contribution to the ‘Circle of Life’ happening all around his property. An avid bird watcher, he dutifully logged each new species observation into his birding diary. There was one bird in particular which fascinated and pleased him. It was the Northern Flicker. A woodpecker of incredible grace and beauty. Flickers thrived on his property, seeking insects from the trees and on the ground, and reared their young in the hollows of dead trees. They were enthralling to observe in this beautiful setting.
David R. Thornton, DVM
Sadly, Dave was taken from us far too soon in 2006 at the age of only 56 after a fifteen year battle with cancer. It was a devastating loss, not only to his family and many friends, but to his thousands of clients who depended upon his kindness and expertise to treat their beloved pets. His handsome, smiling face and silly humor would be greatly missed. The last year of his life, our brother Russ and I devoted many months tending to Dave’s needs and keeping him comfortable in his home, surrounded by the creatures who shared his woodland sanctuary. As he neared the end of his days, he contemplated the possibility of an afterlife. Not a religious or devout man, he nevertheless was open to ‘something beyond’ and hoped that he would be reunited with other family members and friends as well as with animal friends.
On December 9, 2007, the first anniversary of his death, his memory weighed heavily on my mind. He had passed from this world in great pain, and I so hoped he was at ease and at peace in his ‘next life’. That morning, as I drank my first cup of coffee of the day, I thought of Dave while observing the birds at my own feeders in my backyard. Suddenly, there was a great flashing of black, white, red and yellow and to my amazement a male (yellow shafted) Northern Flicker appeared on the shepherd’s hook just outside the kitchen window, literally inches from my face. He stood calmly on the hook, looking directly at me through the window, holding my gaze for seconds, staring me right in the eyes! Then, just as quickly was gone in a flash of brilliance and grace. I knew in an instant that it was Dave’s spirit! He was just checking in with his little ‘sis to say ‘It’s OK, I’m fine!’ That experience really lifted me and helped soothe the pain of his absence in my life.
On December 9, 2008, the second anniversary of his death, I was again looking out the kitchen window to the small wooded area in our backyard, thinking of brother Dave. Again, I noticed a flurry of activity in the shrubs and evergreen trees. To my amazement, I saw a Northern Flicker. But this time, he wasn’t alone. He had a partner. The pair swooped and dived through the shrubs and trees, looking brilliant against the winter snow. In his human life, Dave was a ‘ladies’ man’. It seemed only right that he would have a partner in his next ‘bird life’!
My brother’s desire to live in harmony with the Natural World has greatly influenced my approach to gardening. Through The Big Little Garden I teach others to garden with Intention, to become deeply engaged with Nature, and to embrace their garden’s Daily Wonder.
Male (yellow shafted) Northern Flicker in my garden
In the years since his passing, I continue to catch glimpses of yellow-shafted Northern Flickers on our small New Hampshire property, and immediately think of Dave. These memories and observations of the Flickers have reaffirmed my belief in an Afterlife. One that is rich with the beauty of the natural world, is free from pain, and is Everlasting.
I know we’ll be together again brother, laughing, sharing a glass of fine wine and reveling in the beauty of Nature.
Learn more about the stunning creature, the Northern Flicker here.
How Galina heard and ‘saw’ the Story:
Nature & Love. Friendship. Direction & Protection.
Please share your thoughts about ‘Devotion’ in the comments section below.