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Letting Go

Two weeks ago we were gifted four chrysalises from Alexa's mother, an elementary school teacher. It was very kind of her to donate them to our classroom and we were most appreciative for this unique gift. We read through the instructions and set up their home.  On Friday, I decided to take them home with me just in case they needed care over the long weekend. And, predictably, the butterflies emerged over the weekend. I was ready for their arrival after reading and re-reading the instructions to ensure success. I felt so responsible for the life of these butterflies. I was eager to share this event with the children as I knew they would be totally ecstatic! We had decided to release them at Terra Nova so they could enjoy a peaceful and joyful existence.

We met at the farm and the kids were amazed at their beauty!  They are truly lovely and I was so glad to hear the positive comments from the children. They were very impressed and we briefly went over the metamorphosis that occurred. We carried them over, with careful hands, to the Healing Garden. We formed a circle and placed the butterfly house in the centre for all to see. I asked them if they thought the butterflies would like loud or quiet voices near them and they all agreed we should use our quiet voices. I asked them if they thought they would all fly out in quick succession, like a stampede of butterflies or would they slowly fly away, one at a time. There were various answers on this question.

I opened the lid, with some degree of trepidation, as we had cared for these little insects and it was hard to think about not seeing them anymore. After a short moment, one became brave and slowly made its way to the top of the aquarium and then off into the world. Then another. And another. And, finally, the last one.

Cheering sounds...
                          Goodbyes......
                                                Waves of hands.....
                                                                             Eyes following the flight pattern.....

Cole shouted out "Oh, look. it landed on a leaf."

         




This event was important on many levels and again I find myself thinking about connections. For a very short time, these children looked after these butterflies. In fact they did not even have the chance to see them turn from a crawling caterpillar to one in its chrysallis. And yet, they still feel a sense of responsibility towards them, a care for them and a knowledge that somehow they have impacted each other's lives. And, now as they wander through the Terra Nova trails and grasses, they will look for "their" butterflies. They will wonder if their butterflies are drinking nectar, if they are resting on a beautiful flower or if they are sheltering themselves from the rain. Caring and connecting...what more could we possibly need?

Emily



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