My son and his family were visiting me in Florida from PA and one of the places we went was Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park.   It is a place where one can see all sorts of Florida wildlife.   Sadly, except for migrating birds, all the animals are disabled and cannot live in the wild any longer. There are alligators with tails and feet missing from battles fought, a magnificent FL panther whose original owner had him de-clawed, river otters putting on a show for the onlookers.

There is a hippo named Lucifer who originally came to the park in 1964 when it was a tourist attraction.   In 1989, the state took over the park and removed all the non native animals.  But the people of FL did not want "Lu" moved because of his age and what relocating him might do to his health or worse.  So Gov. Lawton Chiles declared him an honorary Floridian.  There are quite a few manatees who can no longer swim in deep waters because their lungs have been damaged in boating accidents and seem quite content to stay in the springs year 'round.  They are well fed 4 times a day.

But one critter, an American Bald Eagle really got to me.  A beautiful specimen until he spread his wings and started to run for takeoff.  He ran with a limp and had only one wing.  The guide said that the other had to be amputated because it was too badly mangled to be saved.  I wondered if he remembered what it was like to soar high over the clouds, catching a wind draft and floating along on the breeze?  Did he ever have a nest with a mate, high in a tree, and raise young ones?

As the bird kept trying to take off,  I identified with him.  I too have been grounded by disability and so have many of my peers.  No, I'm not missing a body part but age has taken its toll.  Since most of our readers are in the over 55 group, I'm sure they know what I mean.

The afternoon with my family was wonderful, but the memories are bittersweet.

Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll '56 (HixNews Staff)