Earlier this week we had the privilege of watching damselflies emerge from there nymph skin to become adults.
While swimming around in the waters of it's habitat this little nymph seemed amazing but so unassuming.
Seeing it bodly crawl out of the water with such purpose... knowing to it's core that the timing was just right... was exciting.
Seeing that ... while we were away taking care of other things... it had emerged from it's skin was both shocking and expected.
Once it finally took flight after all the watching and waiting we were torn between excitement... at watching it go... and the desire to grab hold of it to keep it close by a little longer.
It is no small feat to break out of your childhood skin and become the adult you will be for the rest of your days...
But I could not help but think... if only it were that easy to break out of childhood and into adulthood. If only we knew with such certainly when the timing was right for such leaps forward. I am sure at one point we did. Somewhere along the way some of us have lost that instinct to trust ourselves. Trust our own timing...
As a parent I see myself thinking the same thoughts that went through my mind as I watched this beautiful creature cycle through life.
The unassuming nature of a child can lead to discounting their thoughts and desires.
Fears can cause me to hold them back when they know the timing is right.
Sometimes I turn around to be shocked at their growth, both physically and intellectually, even though it is all very expected.
Then there is the excitement of seeing that growth coupled with the desire to hold on to that little kid a bit longer...
It is no small feat to be the parent I always hoped that I would be and let my children break out of their childhood skins, taking those leaps, when the timing is right. Fostering that trust in themselves that so many adults have somehow lost along the way...
While studying nature is teaching us a lot about the world around us... it is also teaching us about the world within us.
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3 comments:
So, so true! I have been learning this lesson myself on a daily basis as my older girls spread their wings. I stumble through it with a mixture of emotions - proud and humble, excited and worried....learning to trust. Excellent post Dawn. Thank you.
we've been watching damselflies and dragonflies a lot lately. but we never saw one come out of it's skin! so neat.
Thanks Nicole... It is an amazing process this parenting...
Megan... they are amazing to watch fly. We have only observed them emerge in the wild once.
http://totheoutskirts.blogspot.com/2009/06/dragonfly-moment-on-our-epic-nature.html
You might be intrested in this video if you want to learn more about their lifecycle. It is a fav of Fionna's.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4882330446268138473
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