Tom Hyland

Many of us learned this rather long, awkward, Latin word, way back in time, when we were school children. If memory serves me correctly, in simple terms, it means, "change." The solitary example that comes to mind is the metamorphosis of the butterfly. After the egg hatches, it begins life in the "pupa" stage, then enters the ‘larva’ stage as a caterpillar. Although I am uncertain, something tells me that this earth-bound, slow, cumbersome stage is the longest part of its life. Eventually, the caterpillar weaves its silky cocoon around its body, suspends itself somewhere from a leafy branch, and takes a long, deep sleep. Warmed by the sun, and protected from the rain, and other elements, it waits.

Then, one day movement occurs. A stirring, struggling mature adult stage erupts. Now the lowly caterpillar is history, and a beautiful, gossamer-winged butterfly emerges. After drying its new wings in the morning breeze, it takes off into the air, awkward at first, but now no longer confined to the earth. It soars high into the atmosphere and begins a new life of adventure and new beginnings.

Metamorphosis - change - Nature’s way of providing us with wonderment. Because of recent personal events in my life, which I could not understand, I searched for some sense, a reason, a logical explanation of "why, just why"were these changes occurring?

Just this morning, it finally dawned on me, we mere mortals must be subject to the same laws of Nature also. As creations of God, we are not meant to stay the same, and therefore grow stagnant, as prisoners of routine and "tradition." New horizons, exciting adventures, perhaps even foreign shores await us. Oh, be sure, we may falter. We may even fall back to earth. But ultimately, we shall learn to be proficient with these newfound "wings."

So, with all the Faith that I can muster up, from the depths of my heart and soul, I say to you:

"Soar, My Love, Soar."

The world will be blessed with a new, unique, beautiful Butterfly.

God willing, perhaps someday I will be permitted to fly to your side again. Your flight into Freedom is necessary now. Mine just happens to be postponed, for yet a while longer. This tough old caterpillar hasn’t earned his wings yet.

It is all right. It is natural, my Love. It is only Metamorphosis!

With All my Love, Tom.