Toads with Teeth: on talking to our fears

Why an Australian childhood cannot prepare you for Instagram app updates, and more

Dear ones,

I’ve been thinking about change these past few days. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about its big white scary teeth.

Last week, my toddler made a very amazing discovery: a toad. (Bear with me.) It was on our back patio, where we gather in the late afternoon to commune and watch the forest. Lila responded to the little guy very much as she does to all new things she encounters. She pointed and cried out, “Oh wow! Cool!”

“Oh wow! Cool!”

After some pretty funny slapstick attempts to capture our new friend, we got him safely to a spot in the forest where we decided he would be happy.

Lila was completely captivated. She squatted down in front of the toad where he was quietly recovering from his adventure, and proceeded to study him like he contained the mysteries of the universe. From time to time, I heard her exclaiming softly, “Oh wow! Cool!”

I imagined the churning in her little mind.

What does its skin feel like? How does it move? How can I play with it?

Oh wow, Cool!

An Aussie…