Seduced by a Squirrel
A pom-pom squirrel. It decorated one of the first baby gifts awaiting my grand debut. I don’t know what was inside the box. Most likely, it moldered away in a forgotten landfill long ago.
Squirrelly has remained. A stalwart first friend. A fixture of my whole life. Every year, I unwrap him. Kiss him. Release him for a few short weeks to preen at the top of our big tree.
What does it say about me that my true oldest friend is a squirrel made of yarn and some ribbon?
Happy Christmas Eve!
For more about good friends:
Into the Unknown: Lori O’Leary
Model Trains, Drugs and Thanks for Michael Carnell
This post is part of the series Roll Out the Holly, about the stories Christmas ornaments can conjure. Click here to read the series from the beginning.
14 Comments
Post a comment
And a loverly little squirrel it is, now we know a little more about how a personality evolves. Here’s to a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holiday Season in the frozen tundra.
Que tous vos souhaits se réalisent.
Ha. Read the title and felt relieved like “Oh good. I’m not the only one”.
I think I’ve run across the same squirrel
http://i.qkme.me/367nlg.jpg
Makes me want some fried squirrel for breakfast. With gravy and a biscuit!
Gotta admit though, Kenneth’s squirrel is awfully attractive.
It says that you are one of the most sentimental folks I’ve ever known. Your squirrel is like the tiny elf I have who can no longer hang on the tree (because he’s ancient and dried up, and he’d literally come apart). He, like the great Gene Autry song you chose, dates back to my early, early childhood.
I hope you and MTM are enjoying your snow. Merry, Merry Christmas!
I think it says a lot, Andra. We see it in your writing.
It says a lot. A whole lot. Merry Christmas to you and MTM!
It says you are a most loyal friend, Andra, and Mr. Squirrel looks quite fetching after spending a year in a box and by gosh and by golly, Gene Autry sure takes this ol’ cowgirl back.
Sheesh, Andra, we all have them: shabby beloved toys from our childhood. I wonder if those gravestones of mine are still somewhere in the family pile? Just lovely post.
Squirrel! . . . This post reminds me of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Hope you had a HAPPY day today.
How lovely that you’ve kept him all these years. I’ve really been enjoying your Christmas ornament series.
Now that’s about the only squirrel I’d have on/in my tree.
I am so impressed that your squirrely ornament has held up so well! My children were disappointed that I didn’t put out some of their “early childhood” ornaments this year, but some of them looked in need of some TLC. I told them this year I promised to get the boxes out early and in enough time that I could possibly freshen them up a bit! They looked so sad I just couldn’t put them up this year. You have obviously taken much better care of your precious ornaments. After your series this season you’ve given me cause to think through and prioritize a few of my “ornaments past” to make sure I’m keeping them safe, and perhaps to include a story or two for my children. You really have been inspiring. oxo
It would be a gift to your kids and grand kids would value your notes and observations, Debra. You should definitely take the time and tell the stories.