METAMORPHOSIS
by CAT
A caterpillar crawls slimily along. Ugly, slow, and ungainly, they can barely support their gawky uncoordinated bodies. Seemingly without intelligence, they are easy prey to whatever comes by. A person's boot crushes them without thought. Then the wind blows them off of their precarious perch, or a gentle rain drowns them, as they are too slow and unskilled to move out of harms way.
Do you remember finding a caterpillar crawling on you? The feeling is quite repulsive as their many feet inch along, sending shivers up your spine. As a child, we were quite fascinated by these insects. Close inspection revealed a grotesque looking creature that possessed both horns and spines, to match their water-balloon looking body. Their only defense seemed to be curling up into a ball, spines pointing out, as they waited patiently for a threat to pass. A few actually managed to survive against all of the odds.
Can you imagine the work they must do to get to this stage? Eating enough to build up their strength, they slowly climb up a weed and begin to spin a shell that will keep themselves safe. Yet, everything must happen in a specific order, because without enough strength they would surely die before the cocoon was spun. Poor craftsmanship certainly would expose them to the elements and to other prey. Everything they learned by instinct, and by exposure, has led them to this safe place. Quietly, patiently, and very slowly they change from a hideous bug to a beautiful butterfly.
We go out of our way to marvel at their wondrous colors. Building gardens, we hope to create a home for these glorious and delicate creatures, just to catch a quick glimpse of their beauty. From abhorred to adored, our view of these insects change depending on what stage they might happen to be in. A RAD parent's journey is so similar to our insect friend. At first, we appear ungainly and confused as we attempt to help our children. We become easy prey to family members, professionals, and especially to our own child. The criticism crushes our self-esteem, and we flounder and wither in pain. Yet, we slowly creep along, unsupported and alone in our long tiring journey. Battered and abused, we fall victim to the isolation created by this disorder, and we build up walls around ourselves. As this armor keeps the world silently at bay, we self-examine, cry, and finally get furious. Then one glorious day, educated and strong, we come bursting out of our shells without even realizing that metamorphosis has taken place.
Everyone grows up, but not everyone will mature. Unfortunately, this is a gift that so many do not receive. It is only through grace that we grow emotionally. Yet, I have had the great pleasure of seeing so many of you transform this past year. From victim to victor, you have managed to remold your lives, and have managed to fly above the odds.
Not everyone can do this! That is why we were chosen, because we have the ability for metamorphosis. This can actually be a blessing, or a curse, depending on where you might happen to be in your journey. Yet, we are all traveling this same road. As long as we keep trying, there is always HOPE for our future. Someday we are destined to fly above all of this pain, but we have to keep inching ourselves forward towards the weed. Slowly, we need to keep climbing until we reach the very top.
I do admire the beautiful spirit of every one of my TLP friends. May you all find your way to the safety of your cocoon as we share in this wonderful metamorphosis of RAD.
