Today, I wore a green tee, skinny blue jeans, my black wedge shoes, and sipping my iced coffee walking under the bright sun in a secluded area of downtown Minneapolis. I was in a good mood and everything felt great, beautiful, especially the lovely weather. Normally, I would just hustle down the block to my destination as necessary but this time I took it slow and it was quite a moment.
Below the red stop sign overlooking 13th street, rested a dark grey squirrel. Assuming the squirrel will jump and run away, I didn't bother to pay too much attention to it. As I yielded at the end of the pavement looking both ways of the street, my eyes locked at what was beside me, the squirrel. He moved no where; only closer to me. He followed. I felt strange. I stopped. He stopped. I took a few more steps. He took a few more steps. It went on like that for a good 10-15 seconds. Finally, I made it to the curb and so did he.
Quickly he rushed away. Perhaps he was just minding his own business and I'm thinking way too much. I continue to enjoy the warmth of the weather and walked away. No more than seven minutes, I've returned outside back at the curb we both departed from each other. About six yards away to my left, there rested two squirrels next to each other. One on it's feet. The other; bloodied, squashed, and laid underneath the shaded curb.
I felt bad. This may or may not be the same squirrel but my feelings were strong and told me it was the same one that followed me earlier. His friend/buddy/mate/partner is gone. He was devastated but could not find the courage and will to cross the wide river-street. He needed a hand and strength to guide him. That was me (I am assuming all of this).
Switching my iced coffee from my left to the my right hand in order to pull the entrance door to my work place, I noticed on the coffee cup sleeve, the slogan read, "Life is short. Stay awake for it." That hit me hard for a good moment as I took the elevator up recollecting everything in those few minutes of my walk today.
It's one of those days.