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Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Posted by Coral on August 18, 2008I foolishly caught a baby horny toad on our camping trip, thinking we could keep it as a pet (a learning experience right?). Well R fell completely in love with Isabella Rose, the name given to our “princess” horny toad. R would stare at her and talk to her for long periods of time (notice that I said “would”). Upon arriving home after our trip we researched how to feed and take care of Isabella. It turns out horny toads are very difficult to keep in captivity. Even the San Diego Zoo lost hundreds their first time around. The recommendations were that you have many years of experience with reptiles before attempting to keep them as pets.
So before we had a dead horny toad on our hands, I told Jeff we had better set Is. free. The hard part came when I had to tell R. She begged to keep him at least until the end of the day with tears streaming down her cheeks. I told her we would, thinking it would be easier anyway with Jeff home. Night fell and I almost forgot about Is’s freedom ceremony. P was quick to remind me, as she has to do with many things(I’m very forgetful
). I told R it was time, she cried, and my heart broke. As she gently held Isabella she told her she loved her and gave her a kiss. She was very cautious as she set Is. down still covering her with her hand afraid S would step on her. We watched Is. scurry into the dark. R tried to follow.
I held my little girl while she cried “But, I love her Mamma.”
. I explained that when we love something or someone we have to do what is best for it/them. This was a hard lesson for my precious 4 year old. It is scary to think that many of the lessons my children will have in life will be much harder than this one. I trust that God will give me the wisdom necessary to help them learn and grow through these, and maybe soften the blows some.
Oh, by the way, we will be buying some gold fish this week, since we are studying fish in school.I hope there isn’t, but probably will be some lessons in mortality coming our way. I pray my animal loving girl can handle this one.
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