Asciepias Tuberosa, Butterfly-Weed,
Native to NC, Monarch Host Plant
Witness, hungry-hungry caterpillars, munching away…
The chrysalis transformation stage…
Pre-first flight quality time. Awesome.
And share the experience 
My current fascination is the Monarch and its fall migration. Two years ago I planted butterfly weed and as promised, the Monarchs came. The above photo is of a butterfly weed seed pod, which is essential to the life of the Monarch.
I see it as being from ground zero and holds the core essence of a remarkable cycle of new life, rebirth, transformation and connectedness. To me, it symbolizes the courage, unfailing spirit and hope of those affected by 9/11.
The butterfly weed is the only plant the Monarch lays her eggs, the only plant the monarch caterpillars eat and the only flower the monarch butterfly uses for nectar.
Within a few weeks the Monarch Butterfly emerges from its chrysalis.
As I have listened to the 9/11 survivor stories, one of the prevailing themes I hear is, “I see life differently now. Life is precious. The people in my life…precious. I don’t take anything for granted anymore.”
In the Monarch, is the spirit to to begin again, to continue, to be transformed.
