This story spoke to me. I am also a New Yorker, but live much further north in the Adirondacks. Even though I have deep roots here, I'll admit part of thr reason I stay is because of a crippling fear of snakes. The further south we go, the bigger and more dangerous they get, right? While we have been known to get a very rare Timber Rattler, we only normally have to deal with spotted atters or garter snakes. I know my fear of them is somewhat based on growing up Catholic, as you've mentioned here. However, having a bratty cousin who loved nothing more than to chase you with snakes shes would find in our grandparents garden didn’t help. 😫🐍🙅‍♀️

The reason I can relate, is because the older I get the less they scare me. I have forced myself to watch videos of different types of snakes on YouTube, my own version of Cognitive Behavior Therapy I suppose. I also had an experience at the National Zoo in DC while visiting a friend, in which a very long, very slithering snake appeared before us on a path going between the Red Panda and some other animals exhibit. Surprisingly, I kept my cool. Once the snake entered the woods, we ran down the hill. 🤣 My best friend's husband mentioned the snake at the reptile house on our way out of the zoo. To which, the reptile keeper said, "Oh yeah, we know about him. He isn't part of the zoo, but he lives here and controls the rodent population." 😳

Thank God for video! I was informed at a later point in time by one of my southern FB friends that the snake looked like what is called a Black Racer. He said they are pretty harmless and do in fact eat rodents and sometimes even some poisonous snakes! Even though he was long and terrifying to me, I learned a lesson that day - not all snakes are bad. In fact, they all have an important place on Earth. Now, does that mean I'll be adopting a slinky reptile companion anytime soon? Nut-uh! 🤣😅