Remembering Benji and Sunny

Alea: "Budgerigars, aka Budgies, are parakeets in the parrot family native to Australia. Endearing, entertaining, energetic bursts of chitter-chatter and adorable vibrant color and personality. It's on record they have the most complex vocalizations in the bird world. And yet they understand exactly who's saying what and when and to whom in their flocks. If you've heard what they sound like, that says a lot! They are also amazing acrobatic flyers and keen on being together in flocks and thrive in their social circles.  They are incredible little souls.  I did not have the joy of growing up with birds as pets, only rescued wild ones. But I will never forget the first time I had the amazing introduction to them by the very family, which I thankfully became a part of, of these two most recent jewels, Benji and Sunny, that have recently passed away. What an opportunity and learning delight it has facilitated in my life.  Peter's parents, and sister were the ones who found and cared for them giving them a home and so much love.  

For me Benji and Sunny carried on the legacy. They were exotic to look at and to listen to. Sunny was a gentle English lady bird who knew just when enough was enough.  Little Benji was for a male quite gentle and used to love to get powdered up by his pink mineral block. Yes, on his head and cheeks... remember "Benji the Pink?!"

"And God Created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God Saw that it was good."   Genesis 1:21

They had such a dynamic communication and incredibly special bond and were good medicine for the soul with their humorous behaviors and syrupy sweet moments that left you tickled, tender or dumbstruck as to what they were going on about.  This tribute we are making is for us to remember and to share comfort as we look forward in hope in spending an eternity with our Savior, see a glimpse in Isaiah 11:6-9, and with these fun feathered friends and all creatures He has Created.  We miss them and all who have already gone before them as they sleep in peace.  I find so much comfort in knowing from God's Word that He cares for all the creatures He has made and has eternal plans for them too.  

We have included a few family photos provided by Mamicka Agnes, sis Nicole, and my husband Peter. In addition, we've included Passages we thought were lovely and true illustrations from Scripture. What an invitation humanity has to be with God in the eternal through our Savior Jesus Christ, and in so choosing, may also be with these creatures that will be there with Him. No more pain and suffering and no more sin and dying... Why would we not want to be there?

"And God shall Wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4

Also, we wanted to share a few treasured family memories with you that are specific to these two  "tweethearts".  Since I was a little girl I've been a songwriter and that includes little tunes and lyrics for my pets and the little ones that touch my heart.  The tenderness I feel for Benji and Sunny are best found in the words of the lullaby chorus I wrote for them:"

 Spinkat(Sleep) Sunny Benji

Spinkat twee twee Sunny Benji

Spinkat twee twee Benji Sunny 

Time to go nite-nite baby budgies

Spinkat twee twee Benji Sunny 

Ocko: Shares a special memory of Sunny making quick moves to hide in her nest box whenever he would clean out the cage. Keeping a watchful eye to see when it was safe she would sneak her little head out and pop it right back in until he was all done.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is Forgotten before God?"   Luke 12:6

Mamicka: Shares a cute kind of Romeo and Juliet moment between the gentleman Benji and his beautiful Sunny.  They had purchased a special swing for them to enjoy. Sunny soon took it as her own happy "balcony" high in the cage.  Benji would look up from below and would respectfully stay right under her chirping or just resting beneath his sweetie.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God Hath Prepared for them that love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Sis: "When we got Benji I remember he was just so cute and young, and that beautiful blue color we were all so struck by him. And when we went looking for Miss Sunshine, I remember she was kind of on her own with her little feet spread apart but her beautiful yellow color was just stunning. I think we knew right away for both of them that they were the ones to come home with us. Most of my memories of them though is just watching them interact... From the cuddling and feeding each other, to Benji getting all excited and jumping up and down when he was telling her something very important haha. They were so close it was really unbelievable. And when you would talk to them or say their names both of them seemed to understand and respond to you. Usually you would get a little chirp back. Little sweethearts."

"The Lord is good to all; and His tender Mercies are over all His works. They shall speak of the Glory of Thy Kingdom, and talk of Thy Power;"   Psalm 145:9,11

Peter: "I remember when we first got parakeets back in the '80's. We had two of them, male and female. Their names were Sweetie and Tweety; another couple of strikingly beautiful yellow and blue. As many years and decades would go by, the presence of budgies in our family was almost synonymous with our daily lives, and many more members would be added, either by raising them in house, or having them purchased, and (even on one occasion) having a local rescue we named Twitchy, land on our cage outside one day. Even when Alea and I first met and then up to today, these precious little birds have had a place in our lives, if not directly in our home, at least with our parents and sister/in laws. Upon my first meeting with Benji and Sunny, I was so taken by their incredibly gentle demeanor and stunning color.

Again, I was no stranger to parakeets, and every one of them has such a unique beauty, but there was something very special about Sunny and Benji. Hearing and seeing their interactions as previously mentioned, it was such a memorable and loving experience to behold. And they had plenty to talk about... There was even a time where Cotton (our resident cockatiel) from the recent "Strange Neighbors" post had them as next door neighbors (more like adjacent Birdcage Highrise attendants), and got to develop a relationship with them along with another darling cockatiel who we love so much, Charlie. It's amazing what God Has allowed us to learn from His Creation. How greatly we can learn from these incredible creatures. Watching how they communicate and convey their various and very different personalities to us and each other. A powerful verse can be found in Scripture regarding this:

"But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Who knoweth not in all these that the Hand of The Lord hath Wrought this?"  Job 12:7

Learning and watching from them with my own eyes, acts of nurturing... acts of patience... acts of self-denial... gratitude... protection... unconditional love... Anyone who has had pets, and specifically budgies, can relate. These incredibly dynamic souls are far beyond birds of different colors in a pet store that chitter-chatter. They have been companions that have reminded us of the tender and gentle Love of our Creator... I wish we were all able to take the time and appreciate the incredible blessing of God's creatures like these budgies, and how they can affect each and every one of us in such marvelous ways.

When our Lord Jesus Returns very soon, and restores all the beauty of His Creation back to the state it was meant to be, the Bible makes it clear that:

"And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground; and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely."   Hosea 2:18

Even in their passing, God so Lovingly conveyed a beautiful reminder of His Holy Character and Gentleness. Both these precious little souls, a couple of weeks apart, went to their sleep on a Saturday - The Lord's Seventh-day Sabbath. What better day could there be... to lay down... and rest.

To quote Luke 12:6 which we derived the title for this remembrance, "not one of them is Forgotten before God."

Indeed... Spinkat little sweethearts.

Until next time...