The Great Caterpillar Rescue

This morning I sent the girls down to the basement to let the dog out while I went out on the deck to dry off the grill and put the cover on. Husband forgot last night, but remembered this morning - after he got to work.

"Oh no!"

"What's wrong McKinley?"

"Oh no! Oh no!! Mommy! Hurry come here!

As I ran down the stairs and through the wet grass Reagan joined in on the chorus of exclamations.

They were standing in the doorway looking up at the overhang.

"Look, mommy. That caterpillar is caught in the spider's web."

This is what I traisped through wet grass for!?

"Why is it stuck in there? The caterpillar needs to go back to his family! He needs his family!! He has to go to his cocoon"

And, then the tears started flowing.

I tried to explain the purpose of the spider's webs and how they help spiders catch their food so they can eat.

Bad move.

"NO!! Caterpillars are not food! They turn into beautiful butterflies. Mean spiders should not eat them!"

"Everyone should have a chance to turn into a beautiful butterfly." Reagan added as tears started rolling down her face.

I'm convinced.

I took a stick and detached the spider web from the overhang. Then I put the caterpillar in my hand (I hate touching crawly things, by the way) and the three of us started gently pulling the stands of web off of him.

When we finally had him free enough I put him down in the grass and he crawled away.

My now smiling girls, tears long gone, wrapped themselves around me in one of the biggest hugs I've had in a long time.

"Good job, mom!!"

"You're the bestest caterpillar saver in the whole world. You are a superhero."

"When I see him after he gets to be a butterfly, I'm going to tell him 'Thank my mom.'"

Oh, look. Here come the tears again. But, this time they are mine.