If you tune your integrated devices to the historical data and search with a key -Heronwood drive- you will find that a marsh pond once existed there in the early 20th century -a hundred years ago where a fusion cell recycling center now stands. I was conceived there and born on its bank. Even a turtle like me can clearly recollect those days when a row of 11 human houses stood arond the marsh pond and lots of kids played, bicycled and patiently followed my mom, I and my brother Joe as she was giving us a tour of the area as a part of my early childhood training. That tour is the last piece of memory I have of my mother. Some where along the tour the amused human kids grabbed me and my brother Joe and held us in their palms. Then they ran into one of the houses and put us in some sort of a box. In the box was some water, rock and a dock and where we met a middle aged turtle from a different sect but who was kind to us babies. He told us that he has been there for several years and just wants to pull on. We just lay there in the water hoping to crawl out when we could. Next day Joe was taken out of the box by a human kid leaving me and the adult turtle in the box. He told me that it could be my turn next and I would end up in a home like he has. Some times living older has its benefits. He was right. I was grabbed, put in a green bucket and taken to another house on the street. With my turtle sense I realized that this is the house on the bank of the marsh pond closest to where I was born. Perhaps I could see my mom again..
It was not to be. I lived there just long enough to be sent to this place I call home - this serene wild life sanctuary. I have lived here for over a hundred years now. Care taker humans have come and gone. Some kind, and some not so kind. My days here are quite simple. I get my food, I have no enemies to fear from and I have fellow turtles to hang out with. I am still young and only a 100 years old.
Now I digress.
Back in the house near the pond there were three humans, two grown ones and one baby like myself. Whenever I stuck my neck out I could see the human baby bending down to look at me upclose and smiling. He talked about keeping me with him for ever and would ask the grown ups to feed me even if they have already done so. I thought to my self that you don’t have to be a turtle baby to be cute- he was so very cute. I took an immediate liking to him.
Would you believe me if I tell you that these days he still visits me almost every year in the sanctuary and spends some time with me? That’s how I keep the memory of my childhood so strong and alive. Over the years I have learnt that he has graduated from college, when he formed his Indy Punk group and when he had his first performance. He seemed so happy and I feel happy for him as well. After all he is the oldest friend I have. Occasionally he would bring his family, his pretty wife, his 2 kids and his cat. They all seemed interested in me, although I am not sure what the intentions of the cat were. Jokes aside, like I have always said, the human babies are as adorable as the turtle ones. The best part was when several years back he brought these twin babies in a stroller, his new grand children. I could not contain my excitement. I crawled as close to the path as I could to catch a glimpse of those sleeping babies. I was overjoyed and even had a drop of tear of joy. They looked so adorable together and for just a fleeting moment I remembered my brother Joe. Does he still live in the area and do he and mom hang out together and think of me?
Cycle of life...that's what it is. Just like my human friend, I have had kids of my own here in the sanctuary. Unlike the human kids they don’t stick to me for too long. I still see them, I watch them play and in them I see Joe and the twin babies of my human friend. Till my friend shows up again some time next year, I will lay here on the rock and take life easy.
