Joann Merritt's Essays

A Grand Finale
October, 1995

We were ending our butterfly program for the second grade at Greathouse Elementary School by showing them the chrysalis that we had brought when suddenly the chrysalis split and a Monarch Butterfly emerged. I wish I had a recording of the sights and sounds that ensued. There were Oh’s and Ah’s of excitement, awe and wonder as the Monarch slowly unfolded its wings. One girl came over to me exclaiming “I feel like hugging myself” and she did just that!

My only explanation is that we were all in tune with Mother Nature and she responded to us in this manner. Greathouse was an appropriate name that day. Mrs. Wilma Roberts declared “There’s about a hundred of us here who will never forget this experience” and that includes Don and Me.