Black Cloud Syndrome Part II: Lessons Learned from the Fox Family

My last post discussed the Black Cloud Syndrome. today I share a remedy from my lab for ridding yourself of BCS and its many side effects. Sometimes we need reminders of how best to lighten our load and brighten our days.  My reminder came from a surprise visit by a family of fox! They taught me a lot, these clever little fox, as they played around in our backyard. 

Day 6:  I hear this blood curdling scream coming from my daughter who is flapping her hands and shouting “Bruce, Bruce” which sounds more like a fog horn going “Brz, Brc.”I sprint to the window in time to witness our cat, Bruce Wayne, up on his hind legs batting at a red fox. We race each other down the stairs, quickly jar open the back door a few inches, and thankfully Bruce dashes in minus the fox! The three of us are still trying to gather our wits when the doorbells ring and someone is banging on the front door. It’s a neighbor: “Is everyone alright, I heard a scream!” At moments like this I’m reminded why I love Duluth! It does take a community, Hilary. I had heard about the wild fox from another neighbor, Shirley, whose dog Biscuit would bark incessantly, but none of us had a clue what to do except Batman apparently. Poor brave Bruce…half cat half dog…living up to his name by defending our home! Armed with towels, gloves, lots of cooing and caution, I manage to inspect the damage. Not too bad; we’ll have him checked by the vet to be sure.

Day 7: Up early to allow for the unexpected, which is starting to feel like the norm, I discover Bruce at attention staring out the sliding glass door ready for another round. Peeking ever so carefully around the curtains I jump back with a squeal. Right in our back yard are three fox babies having a morning romp! Horrors! But it’s so beautiful! They look exactly like puppies! Well, a little bigger than your average puppies perhaps. OK, check the mouths, those teeth are scary! But their fur is all fuzzy, and they play just like puppies and they tease and roll around like puppies. I think they’re called pups, right? The kids and I run upstairs for the birds-eye view and a little more distance. How exciting! But seriously, can we have wild animals in our backyard?  On my way to work I phone Animal Control. What? You can’t do anything about the Fox Family? A perfectly calm and cheerful gal suggests we enjoy the view and assures me (several times) that the family will be moving on in a few weeks. Apparently fox are like gypsies -- nomadic creatures, here today gone in three weeks. I ponder this advice all day long. I finally decide the girl is absolutely correct! Bruce Wayne will not be going outside for awhile. Our mornings and evenings begin to take on a charm we’ve never experienced before and will forever remember.

Days 8-10:  I start to call my friends and family and reach out to others. I listen to their problems, they listen to mine, and slowly but surely the load feels lighter. Partly the sharing and partly the caring are involved here, I know that. Mostly it’s the laughter we find as we talk through our bizarre situations, share our fears, and offer each other support. I enjoy the daily routine of watching the fox babies and know I will miss them soon. I begin to notice the Black Cloud Syndrome letting go of my turf and know that I will NOT miss it in the least! 

Black Cloud Syndrome is nomadic, like the fox family in our backyard. In my lab, I have jars labeled friends, family, love, and laughter. I mix these in various doses with my tools of caring and sharing, which I sometimes have to search for I must admit. The sooner tool meets jar, the sooner that stupid black cloud disappears. Amazingly scientific! Sometimes I mix slowly and sometimes furiously fast, but conscious to let the mixture splash over the sides and onto my worries and troubles.

Whenever you see the Black Cloud darkening your turf, throw open your lab, fill some jars, and sharpen those tools. Be a clever fox: fill your jars with friends, family, love, and laughter -- ahead of time! Friends are to Storms as Life Jacket to Sailor: Good to have on deck.