“Turtle,” yelled Esme as she stood with her toes nearly touching the water of Shoal Creek. Avi was standing next to her and held a long stick he was using to point to a rock near him. He yelled, “Right here -- a turtle! Come see!” Greta scampered down the limestone rocks she was sitting on, and William quickly put his sandwich to rest on his bento box as he hopped into the creek bed. The four children stood eagerly watching from a respectful distance as the turtle plopped into the water from his sunning rock. As I watched this scene unfold and the sun shone on us, I realized what a gift these children, and I, have....

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