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On Kindness, Helpless Worms, and Honesty
Reflecting on my inborn desire to help (most) every creature
Do you see the girl’s hands appear in the shape of a heart?!
It used to be that when I scooped up a cold, slimy, squirming worm I squirmed too. But, not anymore.
Whenever I’m out on a walk and I come across a helpless worm stranded on the pavement, I pick them up — calmly— and gently toss them on safer ground.
Then I begin to wonder.
What if the worm dies anyways?
I overthink everything. And it’s a blessing and a curse.
Of course the worm will die. Every beautiful life must comes to an end someday. But avoiding death altogether is not the reason I rescue worms. My inborn desire to care for all living creatures is.
I simply must.
It may be just a worm, but to me they are as worthy of the gift of life as any creature is.
This life is a gift.
Now, I must confess (and apologize) for flipping the positivity of this piece on its head! — there are a handful of ginormous — even hairy! — and unfortunate house spiders that met an ill fate at my save-a-worm girl hands.
