I saw them lying there in the excavated earth ground. They were lying upside down on their hard shell exposing their soft underbelly with little appendages flailing in stress and fear.

There were so many of them I was struck silent. Muted. I just couldn’t understand how they got there. I turned to my left, there was one that was upright. It was the smallest of the group. A miniature. Soft yet hard dark green shell.

How did they get there? Right by the foundation of my home, buried in the ground of the earth. Snuggled close to my window well. The window well serves as some protection.

Now exposed to the surface I am tasked with saving them. I exposed them. I was the one who dug up the earth ground.

I am concerned. I do not know how to protect them from the predators and elements. I want them to live.

I ask several people for help and guidance. No one listens. No one hears. I have to do this alone.

My thoughts are consumed and repetitive I must save these turtles. I must save these turtles. I must save these turtles.

I move forward each day, learning to save the turtles.