Unexpected Gifts

Life is always bringing unexpected gifts.   –May Sarton

I celebrated my birthday this past week—one of those decade ones that seem like kind of a big deal.  The big deal is usually a combination of ‘how can I be this old when I don’t feel like it’ and a very real realization that there is much more life behind one’s self than there is yet to be.  But I choose to make the big deal be a celebration of making it to six decades, because we are fortunate to do so.  So the big deal was mostly in my head.  There was no party planned or expectations on my part.  Then, the day before my birthday, my circle of amazing women friends brought a cake, complete with candles to wish upon and blow out, and sang Happy Birthday to me!  The next day another special friend took me out for lunch, and hours flew by like minutes.  I received cards, presents, Happy Birthday texts and messages, phone calls, and had supper with my dear Chris.  To tell you the truth, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the unexpected gifts.  I was happy and content as I drank my cup of evening tea.  Just before darkness fell, I went to the kitchen to rinse out my cup and looked out the window.  A Gray Fox was stalking around the front yard, staring into the grass, then pouncing on some little morsel of insect food.  Another unexpected gift for my birthday!  

It’s not often that we see foxes—in the winter, we see their tracks, and at times have seen a glimpse of one as it slips into the woods.  But this beautiful Gray Fox seemed unconcerned that he was out in the open of the yard with plenty of light to see him.

Gray Foxes are members of the canine family, but interestingly, they can climb trees!  Their short, strong legs and extremely sharp, curved claws allow them to climb and jump from branch to branch.  They can descend either tail or head first.  Thus they are known as the tree fox!

Gray Foxes mate for life, have an average litter of four pups or kits in April or May (in Minnesota), and the pups are raised by both the parents.  They have keen eyesight and excellent hearing and smell.  They stalk and pounce on voles, mice, squirrels, and especially love cottontail rabbits.  They also eat small birds, eggs, plants, berries, and insects.

These beautiful creatures have a black stripe down their back and tail ending with a black tip.  The back of their ears and neck are the tawny red color of a Red Fox.

I was so pleased to see this fox on my birthday!  What an fantastic creature!  I was pleased to hear from my family and from old friends who I haven’t seen in years but who hold a special place in my heart.  I was happy to share time and laughs with new friends who love books, love God, and love me.  What an incredible gift!  There’s something kind of fantastic about that, isn’t there, Mr Fox?!