SNAKE ........Are you serious????

If you know me you know one of my biggest fears are those of SNAKES!! I don't like them, don't enjoy looking at them and don't enjoy being near one at all. I do not visit the reptile house at the zoo. I simply pass and Kylie and Ron venture inside. So a few years ago Adam Brown got a snake and brought it downstairs not knowing my fear, to say that I threw a fit would be an understatement. So his challege to me was to hold his snake. We have missed each other in this atempt to do so but I figured if this was going to be a true month long adventure that I would have to overcome this great fear and hold a snake. While at the Gurnee Mills mall we were eating at Rainforest Cafe when the girls noticed across the mall this lady holding a snake at the Serpent Safari America's finest Reptile Zoo. I thought this was as good as ever to take the time to hold the snake and take a picture. In order to do so I had to pay the $7.95 for them to take the picture then my friend Jill could take a picture with my camera to catch the moment to share. I used breathing techniques to lower my anxiety and as they reached for the snake out of her cage I started crying. The tears just began and I had to calm down. I sat down and had to bow my head for her to place it around my neck. I was worried about this 6ft python's head. She said it was necessary for me to hold it out....all I thought was "Are you kidding me??" It was cold and nothing like I thought it would be to touch. I was a mess. The zoo attendant and Jill took a few pictures and I begged to have it removed from my neck. It all happened within seconds but it felt like forever. Adam I DID IT!! Although not graceful, and the pictures are horrible, I do feel good about somewhat getting over it. Do not expect me to allow Kylie to get one for a pet and you will still not see me in the reptile house at the zoo. There is something to be said about overcoming a fear.

Below are the photos Jill took. I tried to smile but these faces are so true to my feelings. Jill was crying because she was laughing so hard from me breaking down. She said she had never seen me act that way. GREAT!! Notice my right hand not holding the snake...I did as little as possible to touch it. I hope these pictures made you laugh a bit...I wasn't laughing.