I have a clear childhood memory of my father complaining bitterly that there were a couple of Red-chested cuckoos that had their nests within earshot of his office at work. He didn't call them cuckoos though (he used their nickname - 'piet-my-vrou') and he said their calling early in the morning drove him nuts. Maybe you have some of these in your garden ...
Recently though, a conversation with a game reserve guide changed my mind about these birds. Themba told me that these birds are beloved in his community - he described their early morning call as a traditional alarm clock, telling everyone that it is time to get up and get to work (their isiZulu name is Phezukomkhono which means "roll up your sleeves").
A whole new way to hear that familiar bird call and a helpful song for the start of a new year! I hope that 2025 has started well for you and your families and that as we roll up our sleeves for the new year we find that 2025 offers us many opportunities to meet God and partner with Him in His work in our community. May God bless you in the year ahead!