Metamorphosis
August 25 2010 We were standing at the corner of the street, waiting for Jedi’s yellow carriage to emerge. I had gotten us there early, because I wanted to make sure we arrived in time to see him home. I now know that I didn’t need to worry, as his bus wouldn’t come for another 30 minutes.
To pass the minutes by, and to give my sweating hand a rest, I told Buzz to sit. Take a break. Play in the overgrown grass. He found a stick and began raking through the bug-laden yard in need of mowing. Around us, butterflies continued to flutter. That’s when I bent down and saw a swarm of them, basking in the summer sun, scaling tall blades of swaying green.
Caterpillars. Black and white, in varying sizes. There had to be at least 6 in that immediate patch of grass.
“Look Buzz! Caterpillars!”, I showed him.
“Caterpillars”, he repeated softly, concentrating on the new find.
“Caterpillars turn into butterflies”, I informed studiously, as one danced above our head and another at our feet.
We spent the next few minutes poking gently at the caterpillars, watching as they spread their elongated bodies against the picturesque blue skies, ready and waiting for the day when they develop their wings. Small changes at first, but then it happens so quick.
Soon after, the bus pulled up, carrying my oldest son. My once helplessly dependent baby, who’s also shedding his cocoon, morphing into a glorious butterfly.
11 Responses
on August 25 2010
There are moments were you see the progress of your child, their growth not gradually but in flashes. As I waited for my daughter on her first day, I saw the the infant morph into a child. Amazing.
on August 25 2010
I am amazed at how quickly they grow into little adults. Sometimes my daughter will say something to me and I often say to myself, “How did she know that?” But I know that they are absorbing everything which builds their personalities.
Rudri Patel’s latest post: The Second Year
on August 26th, 2010
@Rudri Patel, It’s especially confusing when my kids know something that I didn’t even know.
on August 25 2010
A fortuitous real life metaphor.
Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)’s latest post: Babysitting- Wednesday of Few Words
on August 25 2010
I think this is my favorite post of yours. I loved the analogy, so very apt for those little helpless people they start out as, rather like the caterpillar and then oh how soon and magically they become those little butterflies, all to eager to spread their wings and take flight. Lovely.
on August 25 2010
I love this analogy, and how acutely you felt it. These butterflies are glorious indeed.
on August 25 2010
Ah yes, the chrysalis! The best part is watching them begin to flex their wings.
TheKitchenWitch’s latest post: What We’re Made Of
on August 25 2010
great analogy and beautiful spoken story.
designHer Momma’s latest post: I just need to get this off my chest
on August 25 2010
*sigh* Totally. I really wish I could freeze time here and there …
on August 27 2010
::tears:: This was a beautiful post, and such a perfect analogy.
Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama’s latest post: “Rain Coming”
on August 29 2010
Great post – love the parallelism. They do transform, right in front of our eyes, to fly away on their own and begin the cycle again.
Cathy’s latest post: The Stress Of It All