MUCHAS GRACIAS, MAMA CICADAS!

I believe I owe at least part of my contented life to one of God’s gifts during the summer of 2004 — the 17-year cicada, particularly the mamas. Over the summer, I heard disgruntled mutterings about the unpleasantness of walking on empty cicada shells. I shooed away many live ones hoping they would not choose my vulnerable, tiny cherry tree branches.

Toward the end of the summer, others complained that the brown tips of tree branches were ugly. But all summer long, growing evidence emerged of an intricately planned, perfectly symmetrical tapestry, creating a frosting of sorts on the affected trees. While carrying out her one, lifetime assignment, every mama cicada found harbor for her eggs on a branch of a tree in synchronization with every other mama cicada’s placement. No tree had more than its share; no tree was permanently damaged. Somehow each mama knew her brief assignment was to be carried out in perfect harmony with every other cicada.

This beautiful phenomenon, this tapestry woven by these tiny creatures of God who only appear once in 17 YEARS, filled me with gratitude. These mamas were working in harmony with one another and in the world God created for us. The display of handiwork symbolized harmony in my life and peace among all peoples in the world.

I had orchestrated a rather dizzying flurry of activities for the summer. At the time of planning or saying, “Yes,” the number of activities did not seem to be excessive. But by summer’s end, I realized I was not allowing enough space between events to reflect, absorb, regain strength and energy, and especially to give thanks. I’ve had a lifelong struggle with finding the negative and dwelling on it, and repeating it to others. Mama cicadas reminded me to see gratitude in the small things, keep negativity in check and pass along Christ’s example of compassion and love in thankfulness.

— Ginny Johnson

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist