Mildred the Bird Lady

A chance encounter in a Chicago park between inquisitive 4-year-old Mary and the eccentric Mildred begins a lifelong, unconventional friendship. Despite her mother's admonishment not to engage with Mildred, Mary finds herself drawn to the kind "Bird Lady."

Impressed by Mary's independence and creativity, Mildred shares the lessons of her gilded life and becomes a mentor for Mary. ln their moments together, Mildred teaches Mary about courtship, manners, ethics, art, culture, and life's little luxuries. Through the twists and turns of Mary's life, Mildred's influence is felt time and again, like a gentle beacon guiding Mary toward her true purpose.

"Everyone has their birth date and death date. And child, what you do with your life is your dash between those two dates. What you do with your dash defines you as a person."

Mary Parker has just settled down for her usual morning breakfast when a scream of sirens blazes past her manor drawing her attention away from the flowers and birds of early Spring. Her old high school is on fire,and as she watches the students' responses, she knows she needs to help. Her life, changed by Mildred's impact,has set her up well to offer assistance to the community in need: she has a gymnasium the other school can usefor their prom and graduation, and with a little coordination with the other school's principal, she hopes to makea night the kids will never forget.

When her school, the School of Art, is vandalized, Mary knows her help must extend far beyond a single dance. But what will happen to her school and the museum if she takes in these at-risk kids? Will the new SecondChance Program truly be able to help these kids, or will the students' presence have a negative impact on the school and museum she loves so much?

With Mildred's nudging preventing her from backing down, Mary, Alfred, Antoinette, and Charlie venture into the unknown and the risks required to make a change in their community near Chicago. Nothing could preparethem for just how much their own lives would change by opening their doors-and their hearts.