She points out a California poppy. They are bright and vibrant, and open up in sunlight, just like her.
"This is called a Rattlesnake Lunch Flower, mama."
"It's so pretty, it's no wonder a rattlesnake might like to eat it for lunch." I say to her.
"Agooo! Gah! Gah! Ba ba ba!" Brother Butterfly is itching to get down from the baby carrier and join his sister on our nature walk. He's showing so much interest in walking - from standing for a few short seconds, to scaling everything in sight. I set him down and he crawls quickly to join his sister. It might be easier to walk him, but I don't.
You are free to move as you'd like, I think to myself. And he knows it.
"Brother! Don't come near my Rattlesnake Lunch Flower! It's mine, mine, mine!" Sister Butterfly stands with her arms outstretched, her face resolute. Brother Butterfly's response is to laugh, intrigued by this game.
"It looks like sister doesn't want the flower touched, and brother is reaching toward it...."
I watch closely and wait a moment, trusting their relationship, and the goodness in both of them. Brother Butterfly reaches out for the flower once again, and Sister Butterfly stands firm. But then...
"Let's play a game, brother! We're both rattlesnakes and we can have this flower for lunch! Nom, nom nom! Okay, it's your turn to eat your lunch, little rattlesnake!" This game of pretending to eat the flower went on for the next 15 minutes with fits of giggles. I stand back and admire this loving and generous relationship that is also beginning to blossom in the sunshine.
After months of a cold, dark days - I feel my own tender leaves unfurling in the warmth of Spring. I have a feeling there are more warm, golden days to come for us all.
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