Little One

I look at you and you stun me

When did you become so amazing?

From the ashes of all my mistakes, my shortcomings, my very imperfection

You emerged. All at once a colorful, delicate butterfly and a firefly fierce and bright.

There are those who trap fireflies in jars. I understand the unction - something so impossibly sublime. You just want to hold on to it; never lose it.

But fireflies in jars burn out; expire. I never wanted to see you like a butterfly in a collection - captured, wings pinned, beauty suspended. I wanted you to spread your exquisitely colorful wings and fly - fly to places I might never know.

So I let go. I let you go.

Now I look at you, soaring and you stun me.

Little one, when did you become so amazing?