the story behind “owl”

5 days before my dad died, an owl visited my home. It felt significant not only because I live in the middle of the city of Los Angeles, where I had never seen or heard an owl before, but I also discovered that owls are known as “death birds” in some Indigenous and Celtic cultures, viewed as messengers of impending death or a major transition. Other cultures believe owls are connected to the afterlife, or are embodied spirits 

I heard the deep, resonant whoo around 7:30pm as I was in the bedroom making calls to cancel upcoming appointments, knowing my dad was at the end of his life. At first I was confused, thinking it was a dove cooing, but realizing I had never heard a dove at night. I went into our entryway, turning off the music my daughter and husband were listening to, so they could listen as well. My daughter wondered if it might be an owl, and we immediately went outside, following the beautiful sound to our neighbor’s palm tree.

We were in absolute awe, and after a few minutes, the owl flew away, notably in the direction of my dad’s place.

The song “Owl,” which contains a cameo from this incredible owl 🎶🦉, was written about that mystical night and experience.