To say that my son is an animal enthusiast is an understatement. If you mention hunting, eating meat, a story about an injured animal, or anything remotely close to animal-negativity, you will get an ear full, or at least an upset boy. It is a fine balance trying to explain to him about choices at his age and at his current passion level; because it just may be this exact passion and attitude at age 18, 31, 52 that may save the world or an endangered species, and I do not want to be the one standing in the way. But at the same time, at age 8, there is a fine line between respect and inconsiderate behavior regarding others' beliefs that do not match his own.
When we found the
Sea Turtle, Inc. Rescue and Rehabilitation center at South Padre Island, my son was incredibly anxious to get inside. He grabbed his Kodak and away he went documenting his time(these photos are his); leaving the rest of us to gather up our water bottles and hats from the car.
The small connection that we have to Sea Turtle Rescue is that my best friend traveled to Costa Rica during an Interim month at college to help release Sea Turtle Hatchlings back to nature. Her experience was inspiring then, and continues to inspire my son with stories told seventeen years later.
He purchased a Sea Turtle magnet with his own money just for her. A private
Thank You that he wanted to give her for helping save an animal. He didn't tell me at the time what he was thinking, but shared privately with me later what his plans were for that wooden turtle magnet. It warmed my heart; my sweet boy.
It is fun to imagine your childrens' future, but you never know what inspiration will be sparked as your child goes through their life. Will it be this or something else? Regardless, I will always remember my son's focus, deep interest, and love for the mission of Sea Turtle, Inc.
To say that my son is an animal enthusiast is an understatement. If you mention hunting, eating meat, a story about an injured animal, or anything remotely close to animal-negativity, you will get an ear full, or at least an upset boy. It is a fine balance trying to explain to him about choices at his age and at his current passion level; because it just may be this exact passion and attitude at age 18, 31, 52 that may save the world or an endangered species, and I do not want to be the one standing in the way. But at the same time, at age 8, there is a fine line between respect and inconsiderate behavior regarding others' beliefs that do not match his own.
When we found the Sea Turtle, Inc. Rescue and Rehabilitation center at South Padre Island, my son was incredibly anxious to get inside. He grabbed his Kodak and away he went documenting his time(these photos are his); leaving the rest of us to gather up our water bottles and hats from the car.
The small connection that we have to Sea Turtle Rescue is that my best friend traveled to Costa Rica during an Interim month at college to help release Sea Turtle Hatchlings back to nature. Her experience was inspiring then, and continues to inspire my son with stories told seventeen years later.
He purchased a Sea Turtle magnet with his own money just for her. A private Thank You that he wanted to give her for helping save an animal. He didn't tell me at the time what he was thinking, but shared privately with me later what his plans were for that wooden turtle magnet. It warmed my heart; my sweet boy.
It is fun to imagine your childrens' future, but you never know what inspiration will be sparked as your child goes through their life. Will it be this or something else? Regardless, I will always remember my son's focus, deep interest, and love for the mission of Sea Turtle, Inc.
3 comments:
A future college student majoring in marine bio?
That is so thoughtful of him. I hope he stays like that when he grows up. He doesn't eat meat?
Natalie ~ He will do anything he can to get out of eating meat, and he and I are learning how to be healthy vegetarians. But it is to the point now where he doesn't want to even be next to a person eating meat. That part we need to balance ... :)
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