Squirrel Love on Valentines

I admit, I never have been in favor of these silly holidays and celebrations humans partake in. For weeks, the television commercials have been trying to “help” us find the best way to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. But, really, shouldn’t we show our love and adoration of spouses, children, family, or friends any time we feel like it or as often as we can? Who is behind this silly marketing idea of showing your love by buying someone flowers, jewelry, or (for those who have big pockets) a new car. People get engaged, get married, and plan various events around Saint Valentines Day. After all, it is the day to show your love.

Earlier in the week, I saw two squirrels who, for most of the morning, chased back and forth in the trees. Sometimes they were like racers, running along the fence line at top speed. Other times, I watched them go round and around, up the tree and down, then leap to another tree and start the routine all over again. I watched for about fifteen minutes through the kitchen window, until finally, the pace slowed, and they settled on a particular limb. Movement became slow and gentle… tender even. I fetched my camera and did my best to capture the beauty of the moment.

Sure, we can laugh and make fun of it all. After all, who photographs squirrels copulating anyway? Before we raised an orphaned squirrel I never thought about what squirrels do and, prior to moving here, I had never observed much of how reproduction occurs in nature. But what I have seen in the six years we have lived here, is that nature celebrates love whenever it wants to. It might be a pair of squirrels mating. It may be Daisy deer and Spirit performing mutual grooming. I might see a mother opossum carrying babies on her back while they venture out for food. I may catch sibling foxes at play in the pasture. Or in springtime, I might observe male birds doing their mating dances for the females.  In nature, love is all around us, every day of the week, and it is indeed a gift, to be able to observe the beauty of love in nature… and nature in love.

So enjoy your Valentine’s celebration, but remember, it is not just about one day. It is not about a gift or showing the world how much you love by the measure of that gift. No, Valentines should be a celebration of humans “being” love… every day of the year. 

© 2014 Day by Day the Farm Girl Way…