As the chair lift whisked me up the mountain, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I looked down, and a red squirrel scampered across the snow. Whenever I see wildlife, I thank the animal for "showing itself to me." I view these sitings as intentional. Seeing the furry red animal filled me with gratitude and joy.
Several minutes later, and a couple of trails away from where I saw the rodent, something caught my eye as I skied through tight trees. It was the red squirrel! I stopped in my tracks, dumbfounded by how it got to the exact spot where I was skiing. It performed fancy moves on the branches, swinging underneath and then back to the top, reminiscent of how a monkey would move through trees. It was saying, "Hey, here I am. Look at me!"
I stood motionless, admiring the animal's beauty, agility, and fortitude. It was small but sure of itself. I watched as it made its way over, down, up, and over again to the tree closest to me. It paused periodically to make eye contact. It was assessing the risk of approaching. I sensed its curiosity. I stayed present and focused on admiring the beauty of its coat and the ease with which it navigated the environment. I wondered how close it would come.
The coloring of its hair was stunning, a reddish-brown on the top of its head and down its back. The fur on its sides was olive-brown. It had white rings around its eyes and a snow-white underbelly. We stood motionless, sizing each other up. I thought it might dare to touch me or crawl up my pant leg.
We were engrossed when a sudden, abrasive noise startled us. A nearby skier hit a patch of ice. The harsh sound punctuated the silence and wonder that had enveloped us. The squirrel raced to the top of the grey birch. It reflexively shook its tail once it was safe, high above the frozen forest floor. I thanked the animal for the magical engagement and swished my way through the island of trees to the base, feeling lighter after seeing it.
On the next run, I couldn't help but go to where I saw my friend. I found the squirrel sitting comfortably on a branch, devouring birch seeds. I observed it for several moments. It stopped and looked down at me at one point. I thanked it again for allowing me to see and appreciate it and went on my way.
The following two days, I skied. Inevitably, I found myself in the stand of trees where I sighted the squirrel. Each time I saw my animal friend. It brought me joy when I spotted the tiny rodent. Did anyone else notice it sitting high in the tree?
A part of me found these encounters extraordinary, while another rationalized they weren't unique. It seemed I had stumbled upon the squirrel's home. I pondered the probability of seeing the animal in the same place at different times of the day for three consecutive days. What was the chance? Why did I find myself in this mental loop of questioning the relative importance of this gift? The experiences with the squirrel spoke to my soul, so the why and how were irrelevant.
When I got home, I researched the symbolism of the red squirrel. This animal teaches us to be adaptable and persevere through difficult times. It encourages us to be resourceful and trust our instincts. It is a symbol of vitality, energy, and agility. The red squirrel is also associated with abundance and prosperity in many cultures. If I had any doubt about my experience with my furry friend, it was now gone.
By Diane R. Jones
December 30, 2024
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