I have a phobia… of crickets.
I know, it’s ridiculous. Crickets don’t pose any threat and yet, I’m afraid of them. Just the simple sight of them makes my pulse quicken with fear while my brain tells me: Run. I guess that’s why it’s a phobia… it’s irrational.
My phobia started with a specific type of cricket that goes by many names: camel crickets, cave crickets, sprickets. It doesn’t matter what they’re called - they terrify me. I can’t look at them and I certainly don’t want to be anywhere near them. I’m not quite sure how my phobia started, maybe it was finding them in my shoes after I put them on to go to school in the morning. Gross.
This phobia eventually expanded to other small things that jump, like grasshoppers and frogs. Ugh, the jumping… it’s so unpredictable. I never know where they’re going or if they’ll land on me. A shiver runs down my spine even as I write this. That’s enough of that.
There’s a reason I’m telling you this.
Because, ironically, one of my favorite sounds in the world happens to be the sound of these creepy creatures. Yes, it’s crickets harmonizing at night with the spring peepers – frogs. My biggest irrational fear also happens to bring me immense joy.
I heard the spring peepers and crickets last week for the first time this year when I opened the front door to let my dog out before bed. One chirp. Then another. Then the whole chorus came together. A smile spread across my face. The frogs are out! I shout inside to my family. I instantly felt lighter, happier. Spring is coming.
This springtime serenade feels like Christmas morning except instead of the promise of presents and Christmas cheer, it’s the promise of warmer weather, beautiful blooms, and brighter days.
It’s enticing enough that I will crack my bedroom window every night from now through spring so that I can fall asleep to the sound of them. Who needs a sound machine when you have a whole chorus of crickets and frogs singing for you?
The best part is that I can enjoy the cheerful chirps of these frightening foes from the comfort of my home where I can only hear but not see them. And it better stay that way.
Thanks to for jumping in to edit this one.
🦗 that emojis just for you!
My chickens take care of the crickets.
I feel that same joy when my trees start to bud. Spring is coming!