The Eagle-Eyed Scaredy-Cat: Nighttime Snail Hunting, Then and Now ‎

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‎Recently, my husband and I have made a habit of creeping into the quiet night, torchlights in hand, hunting for foundation snails. And every single time the cool midnight air hits my face, I am instantly transported back to my childhood days.
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‎Growing up, I was the undisputed Queen of Scaredy-Cats. I was terrified of everything. Cockroaches, rats, flies, even harmless, colorful butterflies made my heart race! I remember running out of the bathroom on more than one occasion, fully pressed, simply because a tiny cockroach dared to fly across the wall. I did not care how urgent the bathroom call was; the cockroach won every single time! 😂
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‎Yet, in a strange twist of irony, there was one thing I was never afraid of: the dark.
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‎🔦 The Girl with the Eagle Eyes (and the Flying Snail Bucket)
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‎Because I had no fear of nighttime, I used to beg to join the older kids whenever they went out for night snail hunting. At first, they didn't want a little kid tagging along, until they realized I possessed a secret superpower.
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‎I had eagle eyes in the dark. While everyone else walked right past hidden snails buried under thick leaves or clinging to damp bark, I could spot them instantly. I became the group's secret weapon. Everyone wanted me on their team because I guaranteed a heavy catch.
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‎There was just one giant, hilarious problem...
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‎The moment I spotted a frog, a grasshopper, or any harmless crawling creature sitting next to a snail, all composure vanished.
· ‎I would scream at the top of my lungs.
· ‎I would jump three feet into the air.
· ‎And without fail, I would fling my entire container of hard-earned snails into the bush and run for my dear life! 😂
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‎Imagine the chaos! The very child who found all the snails was also the one constantly scattering them back into the wild because of a harmless toad. Yet, because my night vision was so unmatched, they simply couldn't leave me behind. They just learned to dodge the flying snail buckets!
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‎🌙 Full Circle: From Midnight Screams to Motherhood
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‎Fast forward to today, and life has come full circle.
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‎Now, it is my husband and me navigating the quiet bushes under the moonlight. My eyes are still just as sharp, I can still spot those stubborn snails hiding in dry weather! The difference? I no longer throw my container across the yard when a frog crosses my path. 😂
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‎Don't get me wrong, I am still cautious around those little creatures, but maturity (and the goal of building our snail farm!) has given me a little extra courage.
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‎The best part of it all is watching my daughter today. Whenever a tiny ant crawls across the tile or a tiny bug flies past and she jumps, screams, and runs away, I can’t help but burst out laughing.
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‎I look at her, shake my head, and think: "Yep... that is 100% my child."
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‎Nostalgic memories really have a way of showing us how much we’ve grown, and how the best parts of our childhood stay with us forever.
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‎Question for the community: Were you the brave kid in the neighborhood who caught everything, or were you like me, blessed with great eyes but terrified of frogs? Let's talk in the comments! 👇
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