Recently, my husband and I have made a habit of creeping into the quiet night, torchlights in hand, hunting for foundation snails. And every single time the cool midnight air hits my face, I am instantly transported back to my childhood days.
Growing up, I was the undisputed Queen of Scaredy-Cats. I was terrified of everything. Cockroaches, rats, flies, even harmless, colorful butterflies made my heart race! I remember running out of the bathroom on more than one occasion, fully pressed, simply because a tiny cockroach dared to fly across the wall. I did not care how urgent the bathroom call was; the cockroach won every single time! 😂
Yet, in a strange twist of irony, there was one thing I was never afraid of: the dark.
🔦 The Girl with the Eagle Eyes (and the Flying Snail Bucket)
Because I had no fear of nighttime, I used to beg to join the older kids whenever they went out for night snail hunting. At first, they didn't want a little kid tagging along, until they realized I possessed a secret superpower.
I had eagle eyes in the dark. While everyone else walked right past hidden snails buried under thick leaves or clinging to damp bark, I could spot them instantly. I became the group's secret weapon. Everyone wanted me on their team because I guaranteed a heavy catch.
There was just one giant, hilarious problem...
The moment I spotted a frog, a grasshopper, or any harmless crawling creature sitting next to a snail, all composure vanished.
· I would scream at the top of my lungs.
· I would jump three feet into the air.
· And without fail, I would fling my entire container of hard-earned snails into the bush and run for my dear life! 😂
Imagine the chaos! The very child who found all the snails was also the one constantly scattering them back into the wild because of a harmless toad. Yet, because my night vision was so unmatched, they simply couldn't leave me behind. They just learned to dodge the flying snail buckets!
🌙 Full Circle: From Midnight Screams to Motherhood
Fast forward to today, and life has come full circle.
Now, it is my husband and me navigating the quiet bushes under the moonlight. My eyes are still just as sharp, I can still spot those stubborn snails hiding in dry weather! The difference? I no longer throw my container across the yard when a frog crosses my path. 😂
Don't get me wrong, I am still cautious around those little creatures, but maturity (and the goal of building our snail farm!) has given me a little extra courage.
The best part of it all is watching my daughter today. Whenever a tiny ant crawls across the tile or a tiny bug flies past and she jumps, screams, and runs away, I can’t help but burst out laughing.
I look at her, shake my head, and think: "Yep... that is 100% my child."
Nostalgic memories really have a way of showing us how much we’ve grown, and how the best parts of our childhood stay with us forever.
Question for the community: Were you the brave kid in the neighborhood who caught everything, or were you like me, blessed with great eyes but terrified of frogs? Let's talk in the comments! 👇
