Tuesday Musings

Patience is a Turtle Virtue

I was at the checkout counter at a boutique dress shop when I spotted the tiny little turtle. I couldn’t resist its adorable features. The pink hat, the shell body and the delicate spectacles with eyes wide looking up at me imploringly. That turtle, with its forlorn expression, was almost begging me not to swipe that credit card for my purchases. Too late, I thought as I held a mental conversation with this inanimate object while the nice lady named Eva put my treasures in the shopping bag.

“I love the turtle,” I said.

She smiled. “A lot of people do,” she replied. “It even got stolen once,” she said. “A baby picked it up while her mom was completing her purchase. We didn’t realize it at the time, but several weeks later, the lady returned the turtle after she found it among the toys in her child’s room.”

And just like that, the turtle became my new favorite super hero. Unstoppable. Unbeatable. I looked the little guy square in the eyes and sensed he was saying to me, “I’m sorry, please forgive me, I know I’m slow, but I promise I’ll be here when you come back again.”

Definitions for the turtle spirit animal reference patience, protection and wisdom. The turtle’s slow movement embodies patience. Its shell symbolizes a sense of security and inner peace. The long lifespan of the turtle suggests wisdom and knowledge that come from a lived experience. I’m pretty sure my spirit animal is not the turtle, but after this encounter, I wish it were.

My grandmother loved turtles. As a matter of fact, I have her collection. The turtles of all shapes, sizes and materials, collected from her decades of adventures, march across my T.V. mantel reminding me of her strength, groundedness, and self-reliance. The turtle at the boutique reminded me of her once more, and I realized, I have been in close personal contact with a true super hero in my life. Her memory, as does the turtle, continues to remind me to slow down, be patient and fight the urge to rush into the next best thing. 

The turtle at the boutique wasn’t imploring me not to purchase that cute jean miniskirt, but, rather, nudging me toward a happier, more mindful way of life. Turns out I came across another unexpected turtle that day at a Thai food place randomly selected for lunch. I suppose that won’t be the last time I’m paid a visit by this spirit animal since patience is truly not my best virtue.