"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." ~ Aristotle, Greek philosopher and scientist

Most mornings year-round I can be found on my front porch drinking my morning coffee watching the birds and squirrels feed at the many feeders I have. On the morning of my 62nd birthday, April 22nd, 2013 I saw a mama gray squirrel bring her four little babies down one of the pine trees where I have an extra-large bird feeder. Craig and I had purchased two of those feeders to mainly feed the squirrels because they would invariably chase the birds from the smaller feeders. We mixed oiled sunflower seeds and corn chops to keep them from devouring the oiled sunflower seeds in the other feeders.
One little squirrel was very distinct-looking from the other three. He had an uneven band of golden-brown encircling his head giving him the appearance of wearing a slipped down, broken halo. When I saw that little halo, I dubbed him Li'l Craigster after my beloved Craig, though I didn't know if he was male or female. After she took them back up the tree, I came inside to check the calendar, knowing that female squirrels wean their young around six weeks of age. Oh, but that put the babies' birth date right at my Craig's Angel Day, so I knew then that the little one with the halo was definitely going to be called Li'l Craigster regardless of gender.
All spring and summer Li'l Craigster could be found munching away at the large feeder closest to the porch, though he would scamper up the pine each time I came out to sit. He would scurry up the tree when our big dogs - Beauregard, Lily, and Magnolia - or I would move around the porch or front yard, scamper back down when all was still and quiet. When he would get his fill, he would climb and jump from tree to tree in order to get to my cyclone fence, then he would hurry across the street. I figure his nest is in one of the trees of the house that's up for sale directly across the street.
Today, October 5th, was the first day that I've been up and about for any length of time since coming down with pneumonia September 22nd. I was trying to beat expected rain and was on the housetop at 8:00am to blow pine straw from the roof and clean out the gutters. I had just finished putting away the extension ladder when the rains came. Since being so ill, I didn't want to get wet and made a mad dash for the back door, stopping at the coffee pot to grab a cup of coffee so that I could sit on the porch and watch the much needed rain.
Sure enough, Li'l Craigster was there. He rushed back up the tree, then cautiously made his way back down after the dogs and I were quiet, blissfully eating as the rain fell. I came back inside after the rain stopped to take another shower with plans to lay down for a little bit since my rooftop excursion pretty much wore me out.
After drying my hair, I took another cup of coffee to the porch before taking a little nap, but as I was opening my glass storm door I could see Li'l Craigster was no longer at the feeder; there was a little squirrel laying in the street. No, NO! Not my Li'l Craigster; please don't let it be my Li'l Craigster. But it was. He had been hit by a vehicle - he was still warm to the touch, but there was no pulse under his little armpits, no breath coming from his bloody little mouth. He definitely was a little male squirrel and he was already at the Bridge.
I wrapped him in one of my favorite tea towels and placed him in a shoe box. I buried him beneath the old pin oak in the back yard next to our beloved Princess. The dogs and I held a Rainbow Bridge ceremony - remarkably, all three lay about ten feet from me and quietly watched as I dug the tiny grave and went through the little ceremony. I've cried and cried for this charming little boy, truly "something of the marvelous." My heart aches for his loss. I know our Prin joyfully chased him across the Bridge and my Craig was there with a huge bag of sunflower seeds.
I'll see you all soon, Li'l Craigster, my precious CraigCat and sweet Prin. ❤


Welcome Home
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near ...
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All of my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home."
~ Author Unknown ~

Many, many thanks to my sweet friend, Rosie, for sponsoring Li'l Craigster's memorial. You are so very much loved, dear Rosie. ❤❤❤