Extinct species

Nicole was telling me tonight that her two favorite animals are otters and turtles.  I mentioned that most sea turtles are endangered.  She asked what that meant.  I explained what "endangered" and "extinct" meant.  I told her how global warming affects the ocean and marine life, such as turtles.  She asked what animals are extinct.  I told her the passenger pigeon, the western black rhino, (functionally) the northern white rhino, and the gastric brooding frog are some.  I told her that the gastric brooding frog's eggs would hatch and mature in the mother's belly, and then the babies would crawl out of her mouth.  Unfortunately, this frog became extinct in the 1980s, shortly after it was discovered.  The next moment, I look down at my side and see Nicole is red in the face walking toward me.  She bursts into tears and embraces me in a hug.  "But that's so cool!" she sobs.  "I want to see that frog..."  I hugged her back.  She said that she loves animals and wants to take care of them.  She wanted to know how she can prevent animals from going extinct.  Although there is little a five-year-old can do, I told her some environmentally friendly practices she can incorporate into her life - turn off lights, only put on your plate what you can eat, don't waste, etc.  Now, she declares, she wants to be a scientist that studies animals (as well as a mother and a karate instructor).

Seeing Nicole mourn for the gastric brooding frog was a sober reminder to me about who will suffer the most from our negligence to care for our planet and God's creations.  I may mourn for the future, but our children and grandchildren will live it.