Blessing the Dell Squirrels

This week as I prepared for the annual Blessings of the Animals Service, I really wanted to include our community pets, the Dell Squirrels. We have our own special squirrel in our front yard tree at Spiritual Life. I see the squirrels running across the window sills when I have meetings in Schewel. I see them on the electrical wires. I see them being chased by joggers at lunch. I see them running aimlessly around the Dell gathering nuts. I see them dig little holes at the bases of the trees. I am not sure how many squirrels there are on campus…but it seems like there is quite a community and several generations. Every college campus has squirrels, but LC’s furry-tailed critters seem to be special. And while I know that some folks consider them rodent, I was inspired to write the following blessings for our Dell squirrels.

Prayer for the Dell Squirrels

Great Spirit who inhabits the Dell, we give you thanks this day particularly for our community’s squirrels. The fuzzy critters that dart from here to there sometimes with great purpose and at other times who run aimlessly without purpose. May they remind us daily of balance. While we run to class and meetings, they gather nuts for winter.  While we struggle with stress they run from mowers and aggressive joggers.  While we walk firmly on the ground, they jump amid the branches and scale vertical tree trunks. Thank you for the humor they add to our life and for their seemingly endless energy. Bless them and keep them safe. May the storms spare their homes, and the acorns, pecans and walnuts be plentiful. Give our bushy-tailed friends, and us, firm footing and plenty of focus to make it through to spring. Amen.

The next time you see a squirrel on the Dell, please take the time to smile and remember the beauty of all creatures. Remember that this campus is a careful balance of many creatures and that each of us has a small role to play in making this place work. Blessings for the week ahead.

Stephanie