When I was eight years old, my Stag Beetle won first place for the Ugliest Pet.
The prize was two live turtles, one red-eared slider and one yellow-bellied slider. The prize included all of the supplies that I needed to care for them.
When it was time for me to go home after spending the summer with my grandparents, my grandmother said that my turtles could not take the trip home with me. Realizing how upset I was, my grandmother offered to take care of them for me.
In the wild young turtles eat insects, small fish and tadpoles because they need lots of protein to grow. My grandmother discovered that hamburger was a good substitute.
The turtles quickly outgrew their original bowl and she decided to move them to a baby bathtub.
As they aged, the turtles began to enjoy aquatic plants, herbs and lettuce, and they were less interested in hamburger. However, they continued to grow. After a while, the turtles outgrew the baby bathtub.
My grandmother decided that the most responsible thing that she could do was to donate them to an aquarium. She assured me that they would get professional care while allowing others to enjoy them.
I know that my grandmother took pride in caring for the turtles for my benefit, and viewed the task as a joy rather than a chore. Her dedication had an enduring impact on my life and became a family legacy.
Mary Kaeding
I am completing a nine-day class in Stockbridge, Massachusetts to obtain my ‘Mindful Outdoor Guide Certification’ in preparation for launching Scripture Walk in September. Next week I will post a reflection that includes an update on my training experience.