I couldn't even take or find a picture of a snail small enough.It looked like a sticky spec of something stuck to the bottom of one of my plants.Without thinking, I just pulled it off & threw it in the trash.
Today was the first day this week when I felt well enough to do some of the things I love, like tending my collection of greenery. I had a particularly bad bout of tinnitus & vertigo, part genetic predisposition, part reaction to the covid vaccine. I've had mild attacks before, but nothing as terrifyingly debilitating as this.
I am not good at being physically diminished. Movement is where I live, through music, nature, my dog, my dancing, & even my exercise videos. My fear & anger at my body's response was almost worse than the spinning room & inability to hear anything but whooshing or muffled chirps.
I definitely took some time to acknowledge my feelings & to feel a bit sorry for myself, which is also something I rarely do. I knew I couldn't stay in that mindset, & I was grateful when the symptoms finally abated a bit, enough for me to enjoy some of my normal Sunday activities.
So this morning, after I had spent several blissful hours watering, weeding & singing to my favorite YouTube videos, I collected the pruned leaves & other debris, & headed back to the trash.
As I stared at the top of my tall kitchen can, there was that small spec I had scraped off the side of my plant & thrown to the bottom. I looked closer, not sure what had happened, & realized it was a tiny, tiny snail. And, he had climbed what must have been the equivalent of the Matterhorn in his little world from the very bottom of the trash can-all the way up to the rim!
I was mesmerized. Really impressed. What incredible gumption. What a will to survive! I plucked him off the rim, grabbed Mica's leash & headed out to find a great spot to allow my little friend to live well.
He's not only earned it, he's given me a much-needed dose of the best medicine there is-hope! If he can find the motivation & courage to climb out of the darkened trash to fight his way back to a better life, well then, who am I not to try & do the same?
So small. So determined. Such unexpected inspiration-Bravo!