Day 1211

At the bonfire the other night, we were blissfully roasting marshmallows when I thought I saw movement in the firepit. My eyes were riveted on the spot when I realized there was a toad trying desperately to escape. He must have been snuggled under the sticks from our last “Some-more Extravaganza” when the inferno began. Jumping into action with a cry, I was prepared to scoop the little guy to safety when daughter Katie saved the day with a stick. Between us, we extracted the poor thing and placed him in the cool grass. Soon, with Asher as an audience, our new friend seemed to shake it off and slowly hopped away. We watched for a bit and nudged him to some undergrowth…mission accomplished!

I will brake for squirrels, scoop turtles out of roadways and literally stop traffic if a dog is on the street. They all deserve my best efforts to help them survive! I tend to put myself in their “paws” and feel their panic. If I can help, I will.

Emily Dickinson once wrote:

“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain

If I can ease one life the aching or cool one pain

Or help one fainting robin onto his nest again

I shall not live in vain.”

Wise words that resonate along my journey. That holds true for toads as well.