Ladybug Hug

My oldest granddaughter who is a nursing student works at a hospital in L.A. She has seen much sorrow during this pandemic as many of her elderly patients have succumbed to COVID. She works long hours, each one full of her compassionate care. Just when we all thought things were getting better, it got worse. Like so many others she has responded with renewed determination to help, regardless of the toll it takes on her personally.

I received a phone call from her a few days ago. Seemingly from nowhere she’s been hit with a totally unrelated issue that threatens to interrupt her life –alarmingly. Unfortunately, there’s no easy fix. With some counsel from her uncle, my son, she’s at least on a path towards resolution.

Meanwhile, she’s trying to stay positive, even spending a day with friends at Disneyland. While there we exchanged texts; she was having a hard time enjoying herself due to phone calls she was fielding regarding her problem. She texted, I just need a hug…

I texted back, Grams aerial hug on the way!!!

Within moments she texted, oh my god Grams, this just happened! and sent a photo of a ladybug on her hand. I replied, Hug landed!!!

My granddaughter has always found ladybugs magical. Arriving unexpectedly, she sees them as conveying a positive message. One of her favorite emojis, I affectionately call her my little ladybug, like her mom did. How wonderful one appeared seemingly from nowhere to comfort and reassure her.

We all need ladybugs in our life. Besides being the little charmers that they are, they help reduce garden pests which, in turn, helps reduce the need for harmful pesticides. Ladybugs live on every continent except Antarctica. Fun fact: In 1999 NASA sent four ladybugs named John, Paul, Ringo, and George into outer space for an experiment. They were named after the Beatles because ladybugs are beetles, not bugs.