Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 85. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word nearest to my finger is “breath.” This is our prompt today.
Breath by John W. Howell © 2026
“Okay. Close your eyes.”
“Why should I close my eyes?”
“‘Cause I don’t want you to be scared.”
“Why would I be scared?”
“Well, you have never done this before, and I want it to be fun for you.”
“But if I’m scared, how can it be fun?”
“That’s why I want you to close your eyes.”
“Now you have me worried.”
“How so?”
“If I keep my eyes open, I’ll be scared.”
“Maybe you’ll be scared.”
“If I shut them, I won’t be scared and will have fun.”
“That’s not exactly it, but close enough.”
“Can’t we do this another day?”
“No. You have been bugging me to teach you, and today is the day.”
“Okay then. I want to keep my eyes open.”
“That is up to you. I was just giving you a suggestion.”
“How are we doing this?”
“You are going to stand on the edge, and I’m going to give you a push.”
“A push?”
“Yup.”
“Then what?”
“You spread those beautiful wings and soar like Mom and Dad. I’ll be right behind you,”
“What if I fall?”
“You won’t, but if you do, I’ll catch you.”
“Okay, Mom. I’m ready.”
“Take a breath and off you go, my beautiful eagle darling.”
Fiction Favorites 
That’s so sweet. It must be a scary moment; I’m not sure I could do it.
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It is a long way down for sure. Reminds me of swimming for the first time. Looks like no bottom. Thanks, Esther.
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Lead up was good and you did not leave us wondering who it might be.
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Always try. Thanks. Pat.
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😃
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Cute.
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Thanks
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The eagle mom is brave, teaching the child to soar with eyes open or closed.
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There are so many moments in a parent’s life that scare us but we know we have to let them go anyway. Thanks, Tim.
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😊
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Many years ago, I was training a juvenile Harris’ Hawk. He was a timid soul and, during a particularly windy spell, landed (if it could be called that) about 30 feet up in the top of a fir tree that was swaying in the breeze. I was stationed at the bottom if the tree, frantically calling him down with ever larger quantities of tasty food, but he continued to grip the twig on which he’d landed and wrap his wings around the rest of it. I could almost hear him crying, “I’m stuck up here. What can I do? All I have is wings!” He eventually came down and hovered above my fist for a minute or so, whilst he built up the courage to open his primaries enough to stall do he could descend the last few inches! It is scary sometimes!
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Great story, Keith. Thanks 😊
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Thanks, John.
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😊
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Delightful, John!
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Thank you, Noelle. 😊
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Love this, John 🙂 Made me think of Jackie and Shadow the eagles I follow. Nothing like it when they eagles fly!
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eaglets
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😊
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I agree, Denise. Thanks
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Aww, it’s okay to be scared sometimes. 🙂 And I love the comforting “You won’t, but if you do, I’ll catch you.” A great prompt and response!
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Thank you, Jan. I’m so glad you liked it.
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Our poor eagles have all but disappeared. Haven’t seen one in a couple years now. There was an osprey out back this morning.
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The Eagles have made a great comeback elsewhere. I wonder what the problem is in Idaho. We had several ospreys around our house on the coast. Loved them.
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This reminds me of having to dive off the edge of a swimming pool for the first time (one kid in my class actually was so scared, he had to be pushed!!). Must be fun, yet scary, to fly on your own power though.
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I’ll bet that first trip is a doozy. Thanks, Debbie.
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They all have to take that first flight. Mom usually knows what she’s doing. I think they’re safe.
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I do, too, Dan. Thanks.
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Oh that first push is always scary but then you’re hooked. Love the nudge and the catch❣️
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Thank you, Cindy.
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What majestic birds they are. I’m so glad we settled on them for the national bird.
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I am too. Ben Franklin wanted the turkey. 🙄
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Methinks he was several beers deep when he came up with that one.
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Oh, I love this story. When we lived in Branson, the eagles nested within sight, and we watched the tiny ones take their first flight.
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What a treat that must have been. Thank you, Gwen 😀
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I suspected eagles!
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