Anyone who has been reading this blog for a while knows that I am terrified of frogs and toads. So what if they're cute and harmless? I'm still scared and I have good reasons for my fears. (Besides, they're not all cute and harmless. The Colombian dart frog is highly poisonous.)If you're a frog lover, then I'm sorry. We can't be friends. (Just kidding! We can still be friends as long as you don't show me your pet frog.)
Back in the days when we lived in a desert, life was free of these wet, gross, repulsive hoppers. But now that we're in rainy, humid Florida, I'm having way more contact with them than I like.
Earlier this week, I was getting out of the car after dropping my daughter off at school. As I stepped out, I happened to glance at the rubber seal around the door. There was the ugliest frog I had ever seen, snuggled into the crack of the door, staring at me. I screamed and nearly jumped out of my skin. Thankfully, my hero son was with me and he chased the frog away with a stick while I watched from a safe distance.
I've been wary ever since, carefully opening doors and scanning for intruders before getting in the car. Despite my vigilance, another repulsive hopper (or else the same one) managed to find his way into the car this morning and onto the floor in the front. It's quite possible he was hiding there when we took my daughter to school. (But I just can't bear that thought -- it's too horrible to picture that cold, clammy body right next to my leg! Ugh!)
As my son and I were getting back into the car to take him to school, he noticed the frog on the floor. "Mom, there's a frog in the car!" he said. My memory is a little hazy after that. I think there was some screaming and yelling and running around. But I do remember my hero son trapping the frog under a cup and tossing him out into the yard. That boy has no idea how grateful I am. He may have just saved our lives. I hate to imagine what would have happened if we'd been driving and that thing hopped on me.
Someday I will face these fears and conquer them, and make peace with frogs and toads. But not today.
14 comments:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
I do pray that God will direct His creatures away from you, and that you will be frog-free until the day you're able to appreciate these little dots of creation.
Thanks for the reminder, Anne. And the prayers. :)
Ew, I think I would have gone crazy if I found a frog in my car, lol. ;-)
My sister-in-law (also an MK) was raised on a houseboat on the Amazon in Peru and has told she has a phobia of frogs as well. I'm glad your son was able to be Mommy's "hero" today! :)
You are so funny! Well, yeah, I'm sorry about the frogs, but I suspect that "that boy" secretly enjoys all the squealing and stuff and being able to play the hero...
Just be glad you don't have three boys! Mine love frogs. They were catching them, setting them on the merry-go-round, and spinning them until they flew off. Well, I guess that could not really be described as loving frogs... but loving playing with them.
Now spiders... that is a different story!
I found your blog in a round-about way today by way of {in}courage. Thought you might enjoy my post on toads -it's pre-scheduled for the 9th while I am in the hospital. I loved the hilarity in this post of yours, and the transparency, rawness, and praise I read in your others.
http://turquoisegates.blogspot.com
Mrs. Southern Bride,
Thanks for the sympathy. :) I'm still checking carefully every time I get in the car.
Stephanie,
Nice to meet you. Your SIL and I should form a support group for Amazonian MK's suffering from frog phobia -- I'm sure there's plenty of us out there.
Becky,
Every time I start thinking about my awful frog stories, I remember your horror story. And I laugh and shudder and feel better. I would have DIED if that happened to me!
Ellie,
Three boys who enjoy frogs - Wow! You must have nerves of steel. :)
Genevieve,
Thanks for dropping by, it's nice to meet you. I'll be checking out your toad story tomorrow.
So nice to meet you! I found you via in courage!
Love your sister in Christ,
Traci
Yeah, Angela, just the other day we were 'reliving' that experience and we laughed until we cried!!! Still can't believe that happened to me...LOL!
I'm pretty sure I would have wrecked the car! Not a fan of frogs either or lizards or bugs or mice or most crawling creatures. Snakes too. Let's just say I didn't grow up in the outdoors.
Thanks for checking in today.
peace~elaine
Do you really want to know me? I have fond memories of frogs. I used to catch tadpoles camping and watch them change into frogs. I used to collect Kermit the frog and other fat furry frogs.
Okay, enough. I could tell you more, but I will spare you the graphic details.
Father God, please free my frog hating friend from her fears. Give her peace the next time she sees a frog. Remind her that You love and watch over her even when frogs are near. Amen. :)
I believe God hears even frog prayers.
Teddy Roosevelt was terrified of rats. He conquered his fear by cooking and eating one. Maybe you should fry up a mess of frog legs for dinner some time.
Traci,
Thanks for stopping by, I'm glad to meet you. I love your blog!
Becky,
I told Camie your frog story and we howled. She admits she's afraid of them too. I wonder how many other MK's share our phobia. :)
Elaine,
I grew up in the rain forest so you'd think I'd be made of sterner stuff when it comes to creepy crawlies, but no. (sigh)
I always enjoy your peaceful place.
Tiffany,
Thanks for your prayers. And I always thought Kermit was really the only cute frog there.
We can still be friends. :)
Pierre,
That's hilarious! I think Teddy Roosevelt was on to something. I may have to try that one day. I'll let you know if it works.
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