Over the years I have driven many miles and though I’ve done my best to avoid collision with wildlife it has occurred.  I wonder why squirrel reverses course or sparrow swoops just when vehicle’s proximity matches theirs.  I don’t know what crosses gap between synapses of God’s creatures, but unpredictable behavior, in my opinion, is particularly evident in the seasons of Spring and Autumn.  Are they searching for mate?  Are they preparing for Summer’s heat or Winter’s severity?  Are they confused by sound emanated by metal machine?  Are they not aware of my approach?  Am I viewed as animal who knows to alter course?  Are they daredevils striving to break record for close calls?  Whatever the cause it makes for tricky maneuvering.

Of the wee beasties I’ve dodged I don’t recall turtle.  Not known as fast movers, these reptiles aren’t apt to change course unexpectedly, but from afar can be confused for rock, roadkill, or rodent.  One humid summer morning on way to occupation I approached lump in road thinking a large stone had been thrown by mower’s blade.  As I raced by, I noted shell, not shale.  Traveling further down the ribbon of pavement, I questioned what I saw, but those doubts gave way to U-Turn.  When I pulled roadside the little fella (I assume he was a lost male who didn’t want to ask directions) sat squarely on road’s yellow center stripe.  I lifted him and placed him in grass well off the road.  I don’t know if my logic was sound, but I chose a location in the direction his nose pointed.

Another was rescued when on journey to lunch with co-worker…center of road…same relocation routine.

I passed yet another when work bound.  This little guy was nearly converted to pancake as I waited for traffic to clear–in move practiced for millennia, I watched him tuck head as dually roared by missing him by millimeters.  Once moved to grassy island, he emerged and readied to continue trek.

As memory serves, there was another before the three noted above.  I was out for a strid in neighborhood and a woman asked if I would mind moving him as she was hesitant to make contact.  Like the others, he was in road’s center.  I picked him up and placed him safely in wooded patch in general direction he was traveling.

Not a believer in coincidence, I contemplate what knowledge four Testudinate encounters is meant to impart.  I’m certain many feel my approach to life’s occurrences foolish and would say there is nothing to learn from these random rendezvouses.  Foolish or not, my interpretation is that the universe is saying there will always be a guardian angel who will arrive to rescue and place back on path to destiny—even if poor decision making landed you on center line.