The Squirrels of 9/12
On my early morning run today there were squirrels everywhere, racing around with walnuts clutched in their mouths. Fall is coming and they know it. It’s time to put away food for a winter’s day. There is work to do.
After weeks of drum beat and ballyhoo, 9/11 came and went. Now it is 9/12. What do you do when the sun comes up on the day after the day? That vague feeling invaded my lower back and both my creaky knees as I set off on my run. What is today? Everybody knew what yesterday was, but what is today?
That’s where the squirrels started to get to me. They were just doing their work, taking care of the basics, not asking too many big questions. They didn’t need this day to be “special.” Look, the sun was coming up over Long Island Sound, the air was September clean and a crystalline dew hung on the grass. What more would you need, said a squirrel squatting smack in the middle of the road, to make this day special?
Life is not made of 9/11s, though in our need for diversion we find a thousand ways to gin up meaning and significance that always leave us feeling empty. Life is made up of day after day after day of 9/12s. On the church calendar they are called “Ordinary Time.” This morning, thanks to a dozen squirrels, I saw the beauty of an Ordinary morning, and I ran home tasting strong coffee and hoping only for a chance to do my day’s work.
Amen! Today was wonderfully ordinary–testing Thanksgiving recipes–and painfully ordinary–dealing with tax stuff. After yesterday’s emotion, I was happy for a return to my routine.
Wonderful – yes, you are right – Life is full of 9’12s
AMEN, Ginny
Winding our way back home…through Pa. today. in the stillness of a full moon we viewed last night after dinner or the welcoming sunshine of this Tuesday…things ordinary, constant and hopefully…not to be missed! Julie
So true. We often look for excitement and variety to spice up our lives. But ordinary is good too, and so welcome sometimes!
Hi, David! Love those squirrels! My Dave got rid of about 2 doz. this summer by trapping them & taking them over to Jersey!! Those pour little souls! They haven’t swum the river yet! Sounds like you are doing well! We don’t have a blog. Sue
How wonderful that you’ve created a Blog for all to read and
comment on. Squirrels are truly amazing and great fun to watch. All summer apples and pears have been dropping. The bushy tails race around with fruit in their mouths. Oftentimes when I am in bed (my bedroom windows face Ring’s End Bridge)the neighborhood squirrels leap from nearby trees and land with a thud on the cottage roof. (More to come)
Joan
Pam just told me on Friday night about your blog so I came home and read them all so far. Have always loved your writing and sermons so I am thrilled you are doing this. Keep ’em coming – they are full of wisdom I can use. And now that I know you are a handyman (the chairs) I may call you sometime – I don’t have one at my house!
Nancy
I love this post. It’s so important for us to ask this question of ourselves every day. What is THIS day? Being in the moment is something of a new concept for many of us. Leaping to the future or diving into the past is what seems to be safer sometimes. Thanks for reminding me of the need to be right here, right now.