Well,
it was just one of those days. I was walking home from work, head hung, worry
occupying my every thought. Family issues. Pressure and deadlines at work.
Assignments due for class. Personal commitments waiting for their turn for some
attention. Not to mention the terrible news from around the world that’s
constantly filtering its way in and clobbering us over the head no matter how
hard we try to avoid it. Even the weather was darker and gloomier than usual.
There’s
certainly more than plenty to feel blue about in this world.
I
rounded the corner of a local building, and headed down the walk. Soon I’d be
indoors and could try to hide from the world.
A
movement flickered past the corner of my eye. A sparrow, I figured, or some
debris caught on the wind. I glanced over, disinterested.
And
stopped in my tracks and stared. In an instant my gloomy face broke into a
pure, bright smile.
A
little squirrel was scampering straight up the side of the wall! I haven’t seen
one of these little guys in a long time! Forgetting everything else, I watched
for a while as he ran, easily, up the stucco, legs splayed out in all four
directions so that he was vaguely star-shaped. Up, then down, then up again. He
seemed to have no particular destination. Just out for a stroll up the wall. I
tippy-toed across the grass, speaking gently to him as I went.
“Hello,
little guy! Hello! It’s so good to see you!”
In a
minute, I stood just feet from the wall. The two of us stood there, staring at
each other silently for a minute. I don’t know what he was thinking, but as for
me, I was staring into the sweetest, cutest little face in the world. Soft fur
surrounded gentle brown eyes and a wee little dot of a nose. A furry little
body ended in a big bushy tail that any squirrel would be proud to call
his own.
I
remember once, some years ago, we sat in the park offering seeds to the little
critters. A squirrel ran up to, snatched some seeds from my hand, and ran off
in such a flurry that he accidentally brushed against my arm. I’ve never
forgotten that incredibly soft, silken feeling.
I
couldn’t help it. I had to pull out my smart phone and grab a few shots. My
little squirrel friend was even kind enough to hang around and pose for me. He
took different poses on the side of that stucco wall. Head up, head down,
dashing sideways. Then he gave a mighty chirrup and leapt, somewhat
acrobatically, onto the top of a tall post and stared down at me.
I
grabbed a few more shots, and then I went in, smiling and humming happily to
myself.
Isn’t
it amazing how all that glumness and low-downess can just simply evaporate with
just the smallest encounter with Mother Nature and one of her treasures?
It’s
just another one of her amazing gifts to us.
Comments
Thank you!!