Yesterday morning walking to school, we encountered a big fat fuzzy caterpillar in the crosswalk. He was yellow and he was moving pretty darn fast for a caterpillar!
Munchkin immediately saw him and wanted to save him. There were no cars, so I told him he could pick him up. He gingerly bent down and tried to coax him into his hand. It didn't work.
A car came and we exited the crosswalk. Munchkin yelled to the car not to run over his caterpillar. I am not sure that there are words to describe his animation and conviction that he used. Suffice it to say, that had I let him, he would have covered that caterpillar with his body to protect him. We tried again with a stick, and again, that caterpillar had other plans.
Another car approached and we again exited the crosswalk, this time it was a teacher and she said we could cross, I replied, go ahead we are rescuing a caterpillar. She chuckled.
This time we went with a leaf, the caterpillar crawled into the leaf in his hand. He very carefully walked with that leaf and caterpillar cradled in his hands. He was so cute and so determined to make sure that caterpillar didn't get hurt or scared. He took it to a tree next to the playground and whispered to the caterpillar. We went on to put down his backpack and play.
When I picked him up, he asked me if I made sure that the caterpillar stayed out of the street. I assured him that I did not see him in the crosswalk.
This morning, he asked me if the caterpillar would remember his message. I assured him that he would. Curious, I asked him, "what did you tell the caterpillar?"
He replied, "I told him when he turns into a beautiful butterfly, to please fly to heaven and tell daddy that I love him"
I am awestruck by my son daily. I am currently sitting here and being grateful for having such a special and loving child. He has such an understanding of things that no child should have to experience. At the same time, I am awed by his grace and compassion.
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