A little girl in Auburn, Alabama, had an unexpected surprise in her school portrait recently.
Brooke Mills, a seventh-grader, was preparing for the first day of school and wanted to capture a photo marking the end of summer and the start of a new school year. Her photographer? None other than her mother, ShaneJoy Mills.
Going back to school after summer vacation is always an unforgettable experience. For many kids, it marks a shift in grade level or a heavier course load. For parents, it’s a significant moment as they watch their children grow more independent and take on more responsibility.
When I was younger, my mother would always snap a picture on the first day of school. It was a little inconvenient and sometimes embarrassing at the time, but looking back, I can understand why she did it. It’s a wonderful way to commemorate your child’s growth and accomplishments, and it serves as a beautiful memory to reflect on in the future.
Now, here’s where the story takes a surprising turn: When ShaneJoy Mills was snapping photos of her daughter Brooke, everything seemed normal at first. However, after taking a closer look, something unexpected was hiding in the background.
ShaneJoy recalls, “Lord, it was frightening! I asked Brooke to smile and show her teeth in the photos, and that’s when I noticed it.”
The culprit? A snake, blending seamlessly with the tree bark. At first, it was hard to spot. ShaneJoy didn’t notice it right away, but once she did, her reaction was swift: “Brooke, come away from the tree!” She said. Even though she was calm when she spoke, her face must have said it all.
The snake, which appeared to have recently eaten, had perfectly camouflaged itself. On a Facebook post about the incident, some joked that the snake looked like a “rat serpent.”
Thankfully, this little snake had no interest in anything other than posing for a photo. Hundreds of people shared the post, relieved that the snake only wanted to “strike” a pose, not anything else!
If I were in ShaneJoy and Brooke’s shoes, I’d be equally shocked but also appreciative of how harmless the snake was. It was certainly an unforgettable way to kick off seventh grade!
What do you think? Would you be as calm as ShaneJoy, or would you have reacted differently?