Chrysalises, Menstruation, and other Things

It happened, ya'll! 

Our four caterpillars were hanging "J's" this morning and now 

all four are in their chrysalises!

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chrys·a·lis

ˈkrisələs/

noun

1. a quiescent insect pupa, especially of a butterfly or moth.

   • the hard outer case of this, especially after being discarded.
   • a preparatory or transitional state.

     
     

     "she emerged from the chrysalis of self-conscious adolescence"
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Here's the breakdown: 

Last night they were all on the top of the container.  

We had an inkling that this meant things were about to happen.

This morning, the J's.

Again with the inklings.

At 12:32, we noticed that the first caterpillar had made a chrysalis!!

How exciting and ugly. 

At 3:20, Zeplin and I noticed that two additional chrysalises had been made, leaving one late bloomer behind. 

^^ There's the late bloomer...

to whom I gave a pep talk to and reminded her to take her time and not fear the inevitable. 

I think she heard me. 

At 3:55, this happened:

VIDEO HERE, click me!!

And by 3:58ish...this:

It is exciting...but I already wrote that! here are some interesting details we have observed:

The "glue" which the caterpillars had used to attach their chrysalises to the roof is incredibly strong. We have moved and turned the container countless times today and the chrysalises just swung and swayed, but never let go. It made me think of nature and how wind and other elements happen. This makes me think of God and how creative and detailed He is. 

Another neat thing: all four made their ways to the top, into the J, and into their chrysalises around the same time! It was like they were doing life together. ...awe...

In an odd way... the first caterpillar to form her chrysalis had me feeling emotional...same as the last. The first was because she did it alone. She did it first, while the others hung there, watching. Maybe she was self-conscious, but she did it. Maybe she was frightened, and she did it afraid. 

Oh man- that's a sermon!!!

Funny thing about the first, I felt like she was the first of her friends to get her period. While they were all cheering her on and secretly wishing theirs were not far away, she was experiencing something before them. She was maturing and doing life. Amazingness. 

Then there was that last little darling, my late bloomer. I gave her the aforementioned pep talk and kept my eye on her. I wondered if she was like the child standing on the diving board. All her friends had gone over and it was her turn. She looked around around saw them, all in their snug little homes, and she knew she could just remain a caterpillar- the others could not see her to judge her. She also knew she could join them on this adventure and see what happens next. 

She chose the adventure!!

Over-dramatic much? Idk. I am just SO PROUD of these caterpillars!!

Next step: the butterfly cage!!