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Featured Story:
The day was September 10, 2002, one day before the anniversary of the 911 attacks. I had plans to go to the Yankee game the next day. There was going to be a special commemorative ceremony before the game. I wanted to be in the city for the anniversary date and being in Yankee Stadium seemed like the perfect way to pay tribute. I was already in New York City and I had plans to meet my cousin Arlene in Central Park. We met at Central Park South and we headed into the park. |
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| Along the path was a tiny squirrel that was scurrying its way in-between the pedestrians, bicyclists and joggers. We spotted the little guy and stopped in our tracks to point him out. He came running over to me and climbed on my shoe. |
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Arlene put her duffle bag down and the little guy climb on that too. So we decided to bring him with us. I bought a pretzel and we had a blanket set up, but the squirrel wasn't too interested in the pretzel. I found some acorns on the ground, cracked them open and started feeding him. He loved them. Next thing you know, he's climbing on me and I am walking through Central Park with a squirrel on my shoulder. Eventually some lady and her eight-year-old son came up to me and asked if he was my pet. I told them my story and that I planned on bringing him back where I found him. She asked me if she could hold him and before I could say "yes" she let out an "Awee how cute" and asked me if she could keep him. I guess people keep squirrels as pets. You have to find them when they are young, because the older ones are afraid of humans. Who knew?! So I let her take him away. The rest of the day was fun. We watched bag pipe bands practicing for parades and just passed away the time in the Sheep's Meadow area.
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| When we returned to Arlene's apartment I stepped outside to soak in the sunset view from the balcony. There was a peaceful atmosphere throughout Manhattan. The city was never so quiet. I had a moment of reflection about that day as I was looking at the empty space where the Twin Towers once stood. There was some kind of magic in the air. It seemed that there was a theme to this day. We can all get along no matter how different we are.! Kindness and compassion know nothing of race or breed. The rewards can be fulfilling. It took a squirrel to prove it. |
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