December 21st, 2021

This morning I went for my usual walk around Brimbank Park. I wanted to deviate and try a new path so I headed down the river. As I descended toward the path I heard rustling to the left of me. I turned, expecting to see a rabbit which are a frequent sight, or a fox which I have only seen once, but no, in the brush was the undulating shape of a snake raised high above the ground, coiled and ready to spring.

My adrenaline surged, my flight or fight instinct kicked in, and I ran like the wind. Out on my usual path this park that I viewed as tranquil and calming was now transformed into a potential ambush. I struggled to keep walking, standing in one place, turning round and round, checking to see if there were any snakes nearby.

I struggled to keep going, to walk under the beautiful canopies I had enjoyed so many times, terrified now that there were other snakes seeking shelter there. I grasped a stick and began banging on rocks, fences, stomping on the ground as I walked back out of the park, hoping to scare any snakes away.

This happened this morning, and yet I have spent the whole day feeling that terrible sense of doom and adrenaline, my phobia preying on me and making it difficult to relax.

Hubby did some research and determined it was probably a Tiger snake, arching up to scare me away. It worked. While I knew there were snakes in the park and that this is their natural habitat, there is a difference between knowing and seeing.

It will be a long time where I will get back the tranquility and joy I had from this path. But I'm going to get it back. I'll fight for it. Because nature is beautiful and it brings me so much joy, and I need to share it with all the creatures, and make peace with it.