I love the quote, "Without change there would be no butterflies". I often refer to it when life presents unrequested, and unexpected, curves in the path. But I have never felt that I couldn't learn to appreciate the change and embrace it as a gift - a puzzle piece that I hadn't anticipated needing to complete my life's picture. But now, watching someone I love very much dealing with unrequested (although not totally unexpected) changes, I feel uncertain and somewhat fearful. How will I handle those curves in my path, which advancing age will surely bring? Will I be aware that my faculties are failing? How will I react when the simple - the things that I can now do almost without thinking - suddenly seems so difficult and confusing? Will I be embarrassed? Will I be afraid? Will I be aware that my reasoning is no longer up to even the most ordinary task? Will I even know that I am no longer capable? When will that day come? Soon? Oh, please - not soon.
Of course there are no answers to these questions. Only time will tell. But, for now, I am being presented the gift of learning patience and empathy, and am trying to trust that even these changes can give birth to a beautiful butterfly. Oh, how desperately I need there to be a butterfly . . .
(This beautiful butterfly friend landed, and stayed, on my side porch for almost 30 minutes, waiting patiently for me to figure out where I'd left my camera, and for me to snap a few shots before he/she went off to attend to whatever butterfly business was at hand. I try to remember that only through profound changes is he/she the delicate and beautiful creature of today.)
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