Hurricanes & Turtles, Story & well...
Tonya Caylor, MD, FAAFP, PCC
Physician Coach for Family Medicine Residencies; Co-Director of the AMWA Evolve Leadership Coaching Program, Coach for the UW/Madigan Hybrid Faculty Development Program. Speaker on Professional Fulfillment and Wellbeing,
Our brains are pretty entertaining places - especially in the middle of the night - mine?offers me random?memories seemingly out of nowhere for no reason.
Last night I remembered chasing down a turtle?during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 in Pensacola, FL. My husband was operating. The girls and I were home with most of the windows boarded up, when my youngest, looking through the beveled glass by the front door, spotted a turtle walking (and partially being blown) down the street.
It was before the full force of the winds made shore. She insisted we "go save him." Oh, the things we do for kids and animals. So we found ourselves out there soaked (as a Boyett's Portable Toilet door flew past us)?grabbing the turtle and bringing him inside.
Who knew turtles had claws and are prepared to use them against humans who snatch them up?!
And as it turned out - and by now you've figured out, we had NO plan. We dropped him immediately as we got inside to avoid more scratches. He was pouring water out of his shell onto the rug and?ran around like crazy! I never knew turtles could be so quick and evasive. We also realize their "snap" isn't so gentle if they get their mouth aimed just right at your hand or ankle. (Some people take their kids to zoos to learn about animals, I invite them into our home for the full effect ??.)
My fleeting thoughts of heroism turned into visions of turtle poop on my wool rug and Salmonella being spread throughout the house. We finally managed to get him into the garage with provisions for safekeeping overnight. The next day when we raised the garage door, he scooted out without looking back. ????♀? That's it. That's the story.
I know at this point I usually offer you the moral of the story or some applicational truth. But this week, I'm just passing on the joys my brain offers up in the middle of the night. Feel free to reply and let me enjoy the random things your brain offers you instead of sleep so I know I'm not alone. ??
Appreciate your brain's nighttime entertainment, and have a joy-filled week! Tonya