The Lucky Ladybug

Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home,
Your house is on fire, and your children all gone
All but one, her name is Ann,
And she crept under the frying pan!

This was my Mom's version of the old nursery rhyme.  It was read to her by her Mom, and she read it to me.  I read it to my children, and I hope that they will one day read it to theirs as well.  It seems as though nursery rhymes aren't as popular as they once were.  I wonder why?  They don't really teach them in school anymore, so they are only passed down through books or by oral tradition.  My Mom taught us many nursery rhymes when we were young...but Ladybug was always a favorite of mine.  Although it does seem rather tragic if you really think about it, but I like Ladybugs, so this one appealed to me.   Lil' Miss Muffet and her creepy Spider however...did NOT!

So why DO we like Ladybugs?  Well at first glance, they are rather decorative by design.  Their brilliant shades of red and orange with black spots, make them stand out beautifully amongst the green foliage.  And on top of being a pretty bug, they are also good garden helpers...eating other bugs that cause damage to our plants and vegetables.  Attractive and helpful....what's not to love?  But some of our fondness for the 'little lady', actually stems from Ladybug Lore.  Yes, it seems there are many wide held beliefs about the Ladybug all over the world.  For instance, in my own family, we always say that if a Ladybug lands on you, it brings good luck.  In England, finding a Ladybug means you'll have a good harvest.  In Sweden they believe that if a Ladybug lands on a young maiden's hand, she'll soon be getting married.  And in France, it's believed that if a Ladybug lands on you when you are sick, she will take the sickness with her when she flies away.  So it's no wonder why everyone loves the Ladybug.

We were in north Georgia one year, enjoying the scenery at a state park...when all of a sudden Ladybugs started appearing everywhere.  In a few brief minutes, there were millions of ladybugs flying around and landing everywhere.  We weren't sure what to make of that phenomenon, but a local resident told us that they swarm or migrate once every year.  And apparently that was our 'lucky' day...as we were witness to an incredible act of nature.  I'll always remember that day.  And I'll always love the Ladybug for one other reason as well.  One of the last times I spent with my Dad before he passed away, involved he and I and a Ladybug.  I was at his house with my kids for a visit.  And I had my new camera with me.  So while my Step-mom watched the kids, my Dad and I wandered around his yard, and down by the lake he lived on, to find some photo opportunities. 

And as 'luck' would have it, while we were on the dock, a Ladybug flew up and landed on the old wood of the railing.  I was excited to have a pretty red Ladybug to shoot.  But I couldn't get it to stay in one place long enough to get a shot in.  So I enlisted my Father as my photographer's assistant...and we spent a good hour or more carrying the Ladybug around from place to place in the yard to photograph it.  Dad was responsible for corralling the bug to keep it in the right place, so that I could shoot.  If you knew my Father...you'd know why this was so funny and so unprecedented for him.  But he was as serious about his job as I was about mine.  He even started suggesting new locales and backdrops.  In fact, the close up photo of the spotted Ladybug below on the leaf and wood, was one of his own 'set designs'!

That day will always stay in my memory because it was one of the few times that my Dad and I spent quality time together doing something so silly and spontaneous.  We laughed when the Ladybug would escape and mess up my shot, because I kept playfully threatening my Dad that I was going to have to fire him if he couldn't perform the very basic tasks of his new job as photographer's assistant and Ladybug handler!  I laugh even now, because my Dad was a big, strong man with big hands...and to watch him become so enthralled with that tiny Ladybug was a rare and simple pleasure.  Ladybugs have always been around me.  They land on my family and I quite regularly, and we are always thrilled to be the recipients of some good luck.  And speaking of 'Ladybugs'...I wanted to dedicate this entry to my dear friend Melissa in California who is expecting another little 'lady' of her own soon.  She and her daughter have nicknamed her their 'little ladybug'.  And I am very thrilled for Melissa and her family, as I anxiously await the arrival of the little 'Ladybug'!  :o) 

Comments

[Melissa]

I must have done something wrong for a I left a comment...and it's gone.

I wrote that the sentiment in this ladybug article really touched my heart especially that special bonding time that occurred for both you and your father. How absolutely special to have that memory tucked within your heart forever. It made this pregnant gal weep and then to see the dedication on top just let it all flow. I feel so blessed to have a little ladybug within waiting to spread her colorful personality, luck, and charm to those of us awaiting to receive it. And on that note I can say I feel quite lucky to continue to learn more and more about you my dear friend and it just makes me admire and love you more than ever. xo

[Wendy]

Well...I am so happy for you Mel! And that little 'ladybug' is lucky in her own right, because she gets to have YOU for a Mommy! She will get your sweet spirit and love for nature. And she will have the lil' 'daisy' to watch after her too. Lots of feminine energy and love will flow in your home. Much love and big hugs to you! xo