Butterflying

Life is in constant motion. I'm reminded of this daily.

Recently, Bebe Bird received Insect Lore's Butterfly Garden.  As head gardener he witnessed life's GREAT evolution.  He cared for five caterpillars. He watched them nourish themselves. And with the passing of the day to day these five caterpillars grew stronger, preparing for the evening when we noticed they were in a "J" shape at the top of the jar beginning to take refuge inside their cocoons & prepare for the next journey that life has in store for them. With time & rest these beautiful orange and black winged creatures emerged, Painted Lady Butterflies, abandoning their cocoons, ready to take flight.  Some of the butterfly's were born stronger while others needed more time.  The experience was magical.

A few days later we released them into our community garden.  Friends joined as Bebe Bird unzipped their habitat and watched the once five caterpillars fly high & free into the summer's sky.  The experience reminded me of life.  I realized that we are all caterpillars turning into butterflies constantly.  Not just once…but an infinite amount of times.  The caterpillar is born the moment we are conceived.  We are conceived, then we are born, then infants, then babies, then toddlers…we become little kids, big kids, tweens, teens, adults, middle aged…etc.  Our life may be a short one or a very long one.  When one stage in life ends another surely begins.   

Life's evolution is inevitable.  People fall in love & out of love.  There's life & there's death.  And the earth keeps on spinning.  And one day if they so choose our Bebe Birds will have the honor of watching their own Bebe Bird's follow their individual path of change and transition and the process  will continue for lifetimes & generations to come- caterpillars into butterflies.

This past Friday, Bebe Bird preformed in his end of the school year celebration.  It was another reminder of the constant change that exists in the universe.  He started nursery school as a wee caterpillar at 20 months.  He left one world to enter another bigger world.  He stepped into the classroom a baby & today he walked out a big kid.  To me, he is a beautiful butterfly. 

As in life you'll experience people parting ways. Friends/Family moving on & new friends being made. With each flight begins new growth.  And change is always on the horizon, even when it feels as if we are simply standing still. To realize this is inspiring & heartbreaking.  It's this realization that constantly encourages me to stop and soak in these days while home with Bebe Bird.  To enjoy these moments as much as I can when racing from here to there in the day to day and to continue to be excited for the new.

In this lifetime my wish for Bebe Bird when he enters into each new stage is that his wings be bright & golden, his flight be high & fast & when his butterfly is born may it inspire him until his next metamorphose begins.   

Joy & Courage today and always.