Raccoon

I was walking the other morning as I do most every day when up ahead I saw a car stop in the middle of the street…then quickly drive away. I didn't think much about this as I was enjoying the stars, the planets and the moon until I realized that car…had run over a raccoon. I thought it was just a cat sleeping in the road… (on my morning walk this is something I often see) until she raised her head as I walked by and that raccoon looked up at me. Never approach a wild animal is a rule to which I steadfastly adhere but something in her eyes told me there was nothing for me to fear. I knelt down in the street next her…told her I'd sit with her a while and as she laid her head back on the street…I think I saw her smile. Within minutes she closed her eyes, stopped breathing and that morning just before the dawn as tears fell from my eyes I knew that she was gone. I couldn't do anything to save her when I found her lying out there on her own but I was glad I came along and she did not die alone. Once again nature gives us a lesson she's hoping we all will heed how sometimes in life and death…a little comfort is all we ever need.