SuZan Klassen

Seven-year-old Danny and I cuddled together on the sofa. The last page of the book, Owl Moon, open on our laps.

“I love the watercolor snow scenes in this book,” I said. “They make me feel like I’m there. Do you like them, Danny?”

“Uh-huh.” Danny leaned back against my shoulder. “I wish we had owls here.”

“We do.”

He turned his face up toward mine. “I’ve never seen them.”

“Well, I haven’t seen them either. But I hear them. Every February they call to each other in the middle of the night. Hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo.” I mimicked.

“They do?” His eyes opened wide. “Why?”

“Because that’s their breeding season. Sometimes people call it the Hooting Season because that’s when the owls call to each other the most. One night a few year’s ago, they were so noisy and sounded so close that I ran to the top of our hill to look for them.”

Danny sat up straight. “Will you take me to see them?” His eyes pleaded with me.

How could I say no? “If you promise to go right back to bed afterwards.” I cupped his chin. “Do you promise?”

He nodded. “I promise.” He bounced on his seat. “It’s almost February. Will they come soon?”

“We’ll see.” I stroked his hair.

While Danny ran off to play, I prayed for God to waken me the next time the owls came.

Only a few nights later God answered my prayer. The owls were hooting.

After I woke Danny, we buttoned our coats over our pjs and pulled on boots. We ran to the top of the hill.

Perched above the streetlight, a female great horned owl hooted. Her mate’s deeper voice boomed his reply.

The streetlight blinded us, so we only saw their dark shapes, but we stood listening for a while anyway.

Danny rubbed his eyes.

I took his hand. “Time to go home.”

Once inside the house, Danny went right to bed. Exactly as he had promised.

Travel Light Thoughts

• Make Memories to treasure. It is important to share interests and experiences with our loved ones.
• Reading to our little ones provides a wonderful time of bonding.
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr, originally published in 1987. For more details about the book, visit Jane Yolen’s website: https://www.janeyolen.com/owl-moon/

Owl Moon remains one of my favorite children’s books because of the watercolor illustrations. And because of the memory: Danny and me running up our hill—in the middle of the night—to look for owls.

What stories and/or adventures have you shared with your loved ones? Tell me about them in the comments below.

It is almost time for the Hooting Season. Are you listening?
https://www.almanac.com/content/bird-sounds-great-horned-owl
https://www.audubon.org/news/can-you-recognize-call-great-horned-owl

Until next time . . . Travel Light,
SuZan

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