Ever since I was small, I have always loved being out in nature. Several of my childhood days, years actually, were spent playing near water either at the pond across from my house, the larger pond by the Sebasco Harbor Resort, the pond by my friends house, and even down the hill where I would explore the ocean. Very rarely did I enjoy going into the woods, just for the sake of being with the trees, but I would explore if I knew there would be some source of water that I could explore. I loved frogs, salamanders, fish, and turtles, and I still do.
I remember in 2nd grade, I rescued my first turtle who I named Suzie. I'm not quite sure why. I don't particularly like that name, but she just seemed like a Suzie to me. I kept her, instead of returning her back to the Sebasco Pond, and brought her home. I figured she would be safer in my backyard pond than in the pond where she was living. I thought that it was too dangerous because she was going to get run over by a car if she tried to cross the road again! Anyway, when I brought her home, my dad put a nice bridge in our pond for Suzie to climb on. At the end of summer, I bought a tank and kept Suzie in my room so she would be safe from the freezing cold weather. I loved that turtle. I learned so much about her all winter. What she liked to eat, when she was sad, when she was happy, and what happened to her shell when she shed. Her favorite place to sleep was on my chest, the right side, right by my shoulder. She also loved walking around the living room, and especially loved by marmelade cat! (I have photos I will add later) They were friends actually. Soon, it became spring again and the frogs were out peeping. The more I learned about turtles, the more I realized that it was not right for me to keep her, so I took her back to my thinking spot in Sebasco Pond and I let her go. I cried so much that day because I really grew fond of her. The amazing thing to me was that after I released her, she swam out a bit and then came back to the rock where I was standing, as if to say 'thank you'. Then, after looking at me awhile, she swam off. I knew that I had done the right thing. This is where my passion began I think. I have so many other stories, but those will have to wait for now. I have some research to do.
