Squirrel Memorial

My Introductory Comments

My squirrel passed away in the morning of October 4th, 2025 and I held a memorial on Sunday October 19.  I met my squirrel during the COVID pandemic (nearly five years before her passing) and at the time we were rivals because she raided my birdfeeder. As I tried to put up obstacles on my birdfeeder, she outsmarted me in every attempt and gained my respect and admiration. After that, instead of battling her, I made friends with her which lead to years of beautiful memories and adventures.

I began my presentation with the question "Is doing a memorial for a squirrel silly?"  I proposed that some may have a valid reason for thinking it is silly (e.g. there is so much suffering in the human world), however for me, doing the memorial had purpose and meaning because it allowed me to be thoughtful and connect to my emotions.   

After sharing a few fun videos of my squirrel, I talked about some important lessons that I learned:

• My initial negative frustration (from my squirrel stealing bird food) turned into a great joy of my life (a 5 year friendship with adventures).  Therefore, when we think differently and innovatively, negative experiences can be transformed into positive ones.  These experiences make me feel that some of us have the building blocks of heaven around us...but to unlock it and to be worthy of it, we have to use love to transform the negative building blocks into useable positive ones.  

• Devotional love and caretaking are expression of one's larger (divine) self.  By taking care of my squirrel everyday (eg by feeding her) reminded me of the pujas that my grandmother did.  My Grandmother taught me that puja (and similar forms of caretaking) are meant to focus one's mind and awaken a genuine spiritual emotion on something larger than oneself (e.g. God).  She also said that eventually once one can reach that state of mind, one doesn't need to rely on the pujas and can dip directly into the spiritual river. 

• My squirrel's death emotionally reminded me of philosophies that my Mother taught me: to cherish every moment while it lasts and when the moment ends to let it go with love.  Impermance is one fundamental of Life. 

• Finally, if we can see Truth and Beauty in every moment then we can see that we are all interconnected and that can decrease the separation between 'us' and 'them'.  

Sacred Fire and Offerings to the Backyard Animals

After my presentation, a few people shared about special animals in their lives who had passed away.  For example, Gabe showed a picture of his former pet newt who had lived for 25 years! 

Then, we went outside and lit a sacred fire.  Sacredness was created by thinking about how fire represents spiritual transformation.  

People were given handfuls of bird seeds and peanuts which everyone spread throughout my Backyard of Biodiversity.  This was meant to provide a feast for all the animals of my backyard to commemorate the passing of my squirrel friend.  The next day, my squirrels 3 children and their father ate from the feast!!!

Making Smores 

Chill'n: Memories brought by my squirrel

Because of my squirrel, we all assembled together and had a great time!  Daryl came who I hadn't seen since middle school! We used play clarinet in band, so he, Gabe and I did a jam session.