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Category: Sharing the Joy with Others | Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:17 pm

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A horrible accident befell our butterflies yesterday, on the day they were to be released. It's so sad. I had been acclimating them to the outdoors by putting them near outside or actually outside in a shaded area. My daycare kids and I had studiously prepared ourselves for the honor of being their care givers. We watched the instructional video that came with the caterpillar kit. We kept referring to the little information pamphlet. We even googled information on Painted Ladies butterflies. We even kept logs of their progress!

As usual, I had lovingly set the butterflies outside...this time on the front porch. It gets very little sun in the early part of the day and, when the sun got to the point of being direct they would have been protected under the table that sits there. Kyle (my 8 year old nephew), worried about his little friends, moved them to a shady spot by the front door. This spot only stays shady for a short time. A couple of hours later, while heading out to check the mail in the 90 plus degree heat, I exclaimed in horror that they were dead. (They were all exposed to the sun and laying on the bottom of the little "butterfly hotel.")

Of course I realized instantly that I shouldn't have let Kyle hear that. So, I did the only thing I could. I said I'd open the habitat outside and leave them in a shady place to recoup...."Perhaps they were just stunned." Then I quietly and gently placed them in the mint garden to 'rest in peace', being careful to hide them. The next part is just short of LYING! I came inside and proudly showed Kyle the empty butterfly habitat. He assumed they had recouped and flown off. I plan to let him believe that because it would devastate him to know he caused their demises. He was riddled with guilt as it was.

We did, however have a serious talk about checking with the grown up at all times about whether or not an action will be safe or not. I did so wish they could have had their freedom. What do they say about good intentions and roads?


Last edited: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:20 pm

This blog entry has been viewed 298 times

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Sjoerd wrote on Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:47 pm:

It is a pretty sad story...but of course the young lad's intentions were good.

Your solution seems perfect.

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glendann wrote on Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:31 am:

So sorry but you habdled it great.

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daisybeans wrote on Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:35 pm:

That is exactly what I'd have done. The lovely part of the story is that he loved them and cared so much for them.

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StillPinkie wrote on Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:27 pm:

Aww what a great Aunt to think about his feelings. I would have done the same thing. My youngest nephew was playing with his kitten and put him in the cooler and shut the lid. Sadly, We didnt find him in time. He was only 3 but I scared him enough about coolers, to this day, he wont touch one without an adult near byand watching...and hes 13.

Rest in Peace butterflies.

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