The Power of.....

Earlier today I was driving along a long, flat, straight section of road. I could see a long way in front of me. In no particular hurry, I was going about 45 km/hr.

Quite a ways ahead, I saw a squirrel attempt to cross the road. He (may have been a she, I never asked) actually froze in place as one car rumbled over his head. Unscathed but terrified, he darted back across towards his starting point and made it. I figure he must have wanted to cross the road REALLY badly because he repeated this twice more, and once I swear he zigzagged between the front and rear wheels of one car!

By the time I got to the centre of all this action, I think he had given up this pursuit as a lost cause because he was sitting well back of the road itself, watching me as I motored on by. Briefly, he and I locked eyes. There was pure rage in his eyes. Me? I was concerned enough to slow my pace to a crawl, expecting him to make another mad dash. Under normal circumstances, I would not have slowed down because there was a fair line of cars behind me (hey, at least I am being honest about it). But, something about this crazy-ass squirrel, made me. Was it compassion, a general desire to help a guy who looked like he was having a really bad day? I don't know the answer to that.

What I do know is that sometimes, squirrels and people do some pretty stupid things. The reasons why are often clouded in dark emotions and poor decision-making, a momentary lapse of reason (as Pink Floyd would say). The other thing I know is that I am awfully grateful when people look out for squirrels and each other when these things happen. I'm not sure if squirrels offer each other a helping hand when things get rough, but, I know good people do.

To all the good people out there, you have my warmest, heartfelt gratitude.

Thanks for stopping by.


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