my day off

this isn't the first time I have tried to post, but maybe this one will go through. My work is collecting food and clothes for the 280 victims of Hurricane Katrina who are at Kennestone Hospital. They have nothing. So I decided when I went shopping today I would pick up a few things to put in the box at work. On my way out the door I grabbed a fortune cookie from the big bucket I bought yesterday. My first fortune out of that bucket said "if you continually give, you will continually have." When I went shopping I bought several of the items on the donation list and was worried that I was spending more than I could afford, but I wanted to get some of everything. On the way home I turned off Thornton Rd by Turners BBQ (is that Six Flags Drive?) and as I was coming over a small hill by a wooled area I remembered that that was where I thought I saw a fox disappear into the woods more than a year ago. I always slow down when I come to that spot to see if I can see any wildlife. Well guess what? Three raccoons were running across the road right in front of me. That is the first time I have ever seen a raccoon in the daylight, let alone more than one. I didn't even know they could run because I have only seen them ambling across the road on their tippy-toes! They were beautiful.

When I got home I looked up racoon in my Native American medicine card book. The Indians believe that every living creature has some special message for us, so I wanted to see what I could learn from the raccoon. The Raccoon is the generous protector, he teaches us about generousity and caring for others. When a troup of raccoons are scouting for food they always leave a lookout behind and when they find food they honor his vigilance by bringing him the best tidbits before they eat. This uncommon lack of greed is rare in the animal world. Raccoon teaches the universal law of giving back to the source of your strength, guidance and protection. we are also reminded that benevolence and generosity come around full circle to reward the giver. Raccoon is telling me the same thing that my fortune cookie says!