Lett’s Set a Spell:
Sharing Love...
Butterfly Style

During this warm weather we see colorful butterflies fluttering by, drinking freely of the nectar from various flowers, but butterflies didn't start out so lovely and playful. Just like us the butterfly was once an egg that had to be nurtured to become his or her best form. As we learn about the life of butterflies we can see the similarities with the development of human beings. We understand that transformation is a process that sometimes involves pain and always calls for sacrifices. The plain caterpillar must release her old self before the new form—the beautiful butterfly—can be born.

When we look at the stages below of how a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, can we compare any of these to stages in our own lives?

(1) The caterpillar crawls up, down, and around on various plants and leaves, and focuses on tasting, eating, and indulging in foodstuffs.

(2) The caterpillar starts to spin long silky threads until she weaves a little chrysalis and is soon surrounded by strong fiber walls. She becomes a pupae, and stays in a cocoon for a few weeks, depending on the weather. Some caterpillars hang on trees and others hide in the soil.

(3) The caterpillar's body produces what biologists call "imaginal cells," and she gobbles them up and gets fatter. As cells grow, the caterpillar's immune system cannot destroy them quickly enough, so more of them survive.

(4) These "imaginal cells" clump together, then organize to become the antennae, the feet, the body, and the wings.

(5) The butterfly pushes her way out of the chrysalis into the outside world, unfolds her wings, lets them dry in the sun, and prepares for flight.

(6) The fully developed butterfly honors her purpose in Mother Nature by pollinating fruit trees so they can bring forth food for birds, animals, and people.

(7) The butterfly thrives in the sunlight but rests at night when the weather is cooler.

(8) Throughout their life span, butterflies must protect themselves from various enemies, such as insects, spiders, birds, and bats. The false eyes on some wings make them look like a dangerous animal to predators.

(9) Butterflies look for a partner, both using their colorful wings to show off for each other, then for their mates. A male butterfly may have an area he calls home and will chase out other males and only let females fly in his territory.

(10) Once the male and female mate by joining their abdomens together she finds a place to lay the eggs that become caterpillars. Most adult butterflies usually live only a few days. The cycle continues.

Why have I written about the stages of how the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly?

Why do I offer readers ideas about releasing our cocoons and clearing off the debris on our wings so we can soar to new heights?

Because I need for my life to matter, and in my search for meaning and purpose, I like to explore concepts and share stories that enhance people's lives. My parents showed me about using their talents and skills while also giving their heart to others, and I continue to explore how to make my unique contributions to society. I learned from Mama and Daddy that fulfilling our dreams can take many forms.

Mama (Ruby K. Lett) demonstrated her financial ability by balancing the books for the family farm and the church. She perfected her culinary concoctions by standing over a hot stove daily so that Daddy, we young'uns, and other folks could enjoy the many delicious delights from the kitchen we called "Ruby's Restaurant." Mama created dresses and sewed quilts and pillows that brought fashion and beauty to many lives.

Daddy (Bud Lett) relished his connection with Mother Earth and enjoyed raising and harvesting tobacco, nurturing it from the seed he placed in the plant bed to the cured leaves he took to market. Bud found pleasure in growing vegetables and fruits, treating each bean from the garden like a gem from a mine.

Daddy's watermelon crop was like a spiritual ministry ... nothing delighted him more than filling my car with red and yellow varieties for me to distribute to friends. Every recipient agreed that his melons tasted better than others because he had imparted love in every one.

Mama's food fixin's ... Daddy's garden pickin's ... they were always greeted with praise and appreciation because they featured a flavor and an aroma that went beyond all expectations. My parents' humble offerings contained the precious ingredients that can not be found as listings in traditional recipe books and as offerings at typical produce stands. Just as love affects the taste of foods in kitchens and gardens it permeates all thoughts and actions in every area of our lives.

So today I can carry on my parents' legacy of love only if I am willing to offer enticing nectar to others' lives. While I prepare foods that promote health and plant flowers that radiate beauty my best talent is giving life to language: transforming ideas into articles and books that bring pleasure to readers and telling anecdotes and providing reflections that inspire audiences.

When I share morsels of truth that foster love and joy I am being a butterfly ... and Mama and Daddy's legacy lives on.