Fear the Turtle
I recently received a beautiful longevity turtle bracelet from my Aunt Peggy & Uncle Ronnie. This is the tale that came with the bracelet: "The turtle is a symbol of longevity and prosperity in cultures the world over. An oft-repeated Japanese folk legend tells of a young fisherman whose assistance to a turtle was rewarded with 300 years of life under the sea. While we can't quite guarantee her a few extra centuries, our delicate turtle bracelet will wish her a long life." So I decided to make the turtle my totem. Then I realized that turtles have always been my thing.
When I was three or four, I picked out a turtle magnet made of seashells at the beach one summer for my grandmother. It stayed on her refrigerator until she passed away a few years ago, and it is now on mine. I have several "loose-neck" turtles, in my office, in my bedroom; everywhere I look I see the turtle. Since they represent longevity, and that's what I need right now, I've decided to make the turtle the official mascot of my fight on cancer.
Tomorrow when I start chemo, I will be wearing my turtle bracelet. So, chemo, you can take my hair and make me sick, but the turtle will prevail!
When I was three or four, I picked out a turtle magnet made of seashells at the beach one summer for my grandmother. It stayed on her refrigerator until she passed away a few years ago, and it is now on mine. I have several "loose-neck" turtles, in my office, in my bedroom; everywhere I look I see the turtle. Since they represent longevity, and that's what I need right now, I've decided to make the turtle the official mascot of my fight on cancer.
Tomorrow when I start chemo, I will be wearing my turtle bracelet. So, chemo, you can take my hair and make me sick, but the turtle will prevail!
Comments
Turtles most definitely represent longevity. When our very own Shelly was just a baby turtle, I remember asking Josh how long she would live. I thought she'd be around a few months based on my past success with aquatic pets, mainly fish. Boy, was I shocked to learn that she will probably still be swimming around her tank when Josh and I celebrate our 40th anniversary.
Based on your hard shell, composed of your inner strength and all of the prayers and support you have, you also will experience great turtle-like longevity. This is just a little bump in the road.
My first and only real pet was a tiny baby turtle the size of a quarter. We called him Herbie, and like a Hoo, he could eat twice his weight. I mean, we dragged this tough little turtle to Florida from CT and back, and fed him chameleons twice his size. He was surely a survivor and was forced to adapt. He came out bigger and stronger as a result! Plus, you lived at "Turtle Creek" did you not? By the way, it's snowing here. Lovely! Good luck tomorrow. You'll be great. Maybe constipation and diarhea will fight it out and everything will be neutral! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Lorin
You'll always be "my little one".
Love, your kindergarten teacher