Waiting…

Our green and brown caterpillar guests on their preferred leaves

Caterpillar stage

 

Remember this little guy? Well, about a month ago it finally pupated (is that a word?) and transformed into this…

pupa stage

Our caterpillar guest transformed, but...

Apologies that the photo isn’t better. I’ve been trying not to disturb it too much, since I suppose metamorphosis requires a lot of energy. I have to admit I’m having a hard time waiting, though. The caterpillar was at least fun to watch. This stage is like watching paint dry. I have to remind myself to check on the pupa every day (or so) to see if anything is happening. So far it just looks for all the world like an acorn that’s lost its hat. I know, I know – change takes a while. Even in this “boring” stage I’m learning things, though. Did you know that pupae can move? If agitated enough this one wiggles just enough to let us know there’s something very much alive “in there.”

We’ve been continuing to go through a rough “phase” (and I do hope it’s just a phase) with the child lately. I’m hoping it’s just due to end of the school year fatigue, and not something more. It is all I can do to fight off the negative spiral that she seemingly is sucking me into. I know she doesn’t really want to go there, either, but I need to be the strong one for her.

I love nature lessons. My caterpillar, now pupa, is still reminding me that change is hard. It takes time and energy. It may appear that nothing is happening on the surface, but underneath a total transformation is occurring. My job – check in, keep watching, keep learning, try not to require anything extra, and keep hoping.

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