We took the kids with Denny and Cathy to see the nearby butterfly gardens. They were both so excited, it was all Riley could talk about that maybe a butterfly would land on her and maybe she could hold one. Even Jackson was excited to go and see the Buhfwies.
It had turned into a beautiful day and the butterflies were out in force. We paused to watch the leaf-like butterflies sucking the sugar out of some bananas and oranges, then worked our way around to the fish pond. The kids and Brian had gone ahead, when I came upon an elderly couple sitting very still - with butterflies sitting on their hands. Remembering Riley’s dream of having a butterfly land on her, I ran ahead and brought her back to see, and maybe even to hold one.
She was fascinated, and a little loud. The elderly gentleman was kind enough to give me the butterfly on my hand, and I tried to transfer it to Riley’s coat. Unfortunately the butterfly had other ideas, and flittered away. Then it came back and landed lightly on Riley’s coat! Perfect - her wish come true.
Not sure what I expected at that point, but I sure did NOT expect Riley to sudden become horror-struck and start shrieking at the top of her lungs “IT’S ON ME! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!”
I later asked her why she was so scared of the gentle butterfly when it was the very thing she was wishing for just a moment before. She replied “Mommy, up close they are really scary!” Hmmn. Maybe somethings are better left imagined from afar.
No comments:
Post a Comment