"Metamorphosis is a biological process by which an animal physically develops after birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's bodystructure through cell growth and differentiation." Wikipedia
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Little did I know that the unusual, smooth, tricolor caterpillar my daughter and I caught and placed in a jar with grass, leaves, and a twig would transform into one of the most beautiful butterflies, a Monarch, before our very eyes! Imagine the wonder of watching this process from a child's eye view. It was magical and a memory that we still talk about from time to time. She was so excited to see the gorgeous butterfly spread it's wings for the first time and soar from the jar to the freedom of the blue skies!
I remember her anxiety when the caterpillar vanished into a bright green chrysalis and how she watched the chrysalis day after day, wondering if it was still alive One day she noticed the chrysalis was clear. She could see something orange and black scrunched up inside. "Can we open it", my daughter asked, "so it can get out?" I told her that we had to wait until the butterfly was ready to get out by itself, explaining that if we helped it out too soon, it would not be strong enough to live and fly up into the sky.
The most exciting time finally arrived. The clear covering was moving as the butterfly struggled to free itself. Lara was trying so hard to be patient while she watched this miracle of nature. As the butterfly wiggled out with wet, folded wings, she asked again, "now? can we help it now?" "Wait just a little bit longer while it dries and unfolds it's wings, then you can open the jar so it can fly!" I replied. The time came and she opened the jar, letting the beautiful butterfly emerge and take flight.
As I reflect on this experience, it parallels closely the healing process after a traumatic injury... the process I have been going through. The ability to emerge and 'fly' is the product of a time of confinment, struggle, and patience, building the strength to accept and embrace the change from 'what was' to 'what is'.
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