Lessons & Reflections from the National Butterfly Center

Isn't that the way it always goes?

Yesterday, a rarity showed up in the form of Isabella's Heliconian—and the Coopers had left the garden. They returned, after lunch, only to learn they'd missed it. Boo!!!

But the Coopers didn't despair. Neither did the good-natured people who came for the 17^th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival, when the cold front tore through here.... Like the times and the tides, these folks know it's only temporary. Seasons change, sightings occur, long-absent species make a surprise appearance on your lunch break.

Thankfully, I am learning to roll with it; to relax when confronted with things I cannot change, and to watch, with acceptance, the unfolding of events beyond my control. This is contrary to my nature—but something my experience at the National Butterfly Center is teaching me, daily. Beautiful flowers bloom and fade. Blue heron poaches all the koi from the pond. Bobcat continues to elude me.

Then all the tadpoles appear! A mama javelina and her five little ones dash across the meadow. And visitors from Arizona tell of their 1,000 mile drive to the NBC, just to see what they can see. Everyone tells me how lucky I am to spend my days, here, and I agree. This place is growing me.

Photo © Linda Cooper