Concerning Sea Turtles

I have never met a sea turtle that I didn’t like – I did, however, meet one once who didn’t particularly like me; in fact, I think she thought that I was trying to kill her babies, but I wasn’t. Here’s what happened: sea turtles are a protected species in Florida, and guided tours are given after dark so people like me can watch the egg-laying process. We signed up for one of the tours and, as it was explained to us, we had to be very, very quiet as we approached the turtle – we couldn’t advance up the beach until she had dug a large hole, settled in, and began the egg-laying process.  All was going well – there was a group of about 15. My husband and I, our two children, plus my in-laws, formed our party. It was to be a wonderful family event; much better than an evening spent sitting in front of a television. I wanted the children to remember the event forever and, as it turned out, they certainly have.

There was a college professor leading the group – he was very knowledgeable where sea turtles are concerned. We formed a circle around the hole and begin to watch the turtle’s  movements. He kneeled on the edge as he explained what was going on. Then, he made a big mistake; he told us to come a little closer. We did, and I promptly lost my balance and knocked both of us (as in the professor) into the hole, on top of the turtle. She, of course, went nutso, and her fins (I think that’s what you call them – maybe they’re called legs), were flailing around here and there. In the meantime, the professor and I were all arms and legs as we wrestled each other while getting covered in sand in the process. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

As the turtle was thrashing, I looked up and this is what I saw: my two children were slowly backing up, as in trying to disappear. My in-laws were both just standing there with their mouths wide open. I’ll have to give my husband credit on this one – he didn’t abandon me (that would come years later). Instead, he kneeled down and grabbed me by the back of my collar. He then pulled me up and out of the hole. Others helped the professor get out. The good news is that the turtle calmed down and, once again, began laying her eggs. The other good news is that because I didn’t cause her to abandon the whole motherhood process that sea turtles go through, there are now probably at least 6,000 more turtles than there would have been otherwise. I try to see the good in everything I do – both right and wrong.