Signs of Spring

Have you seen them? Little spots here and there, some larger than others. New ones pop up each day, sometimes in the most unexpected places.

Yes, I'm talking about road kill. It's a sure sign of spring, but one that always makes me cringe and shudder. For some reason I'm consumed with finding out what animal succumbed to a sudden death on the roadway.

Then I think, "Oh no, it was a cat. Some child is probably missing it." OR "What was that? I can't even tell." OR "That one looks like a baby. How sad." Why do I torture myself?

I've only hit one animal (a squirrel) in my life and I went back to see if it was really dead or if it needed CPR. No, I wouldn't have done that, but I did want to make sure it wasn't just wounded. Yes, I'm strange. After seeing it really was gone, I headed on to my day of student teaching all shook up.

I'm hoping all the little animals take fair warning. Yes, it's nice outside. Yes, the sun is beckoning to you to leave the comforts of your dens, holes, and burrows. Yes, the road might feel warm on your cold little feet. And yes, the grass on the other side of the road might look greener. BUT, you're taking your life into your own hands when you play chicken with a two ton vehicle.