​NONFICTION
San Francisco Sunset     -      Robin Roth                                

Predestiny
by Kathy Bruin

We have no choice but to be slow, to let go of expectation, to take stock, to remember what matters. As the world outside seems to be exploding—pandemic, racial tensions, a contentious election, fires throughout my state—connection and creativity are vital. I have used the phone as a phone! I have sent postcards to far-flung friends, checked in with people the way I did when I was young, when life was simpler. I have wandered through photos and memories and emotions.

I have also spent time on my patio, a secluded space in an urban setting where I have been planting and weeding and tidying. I have worked, read, napped, grilled, eaten, and had cocktails—alone mostly, but so appreciative for the refuge. Most days I am visited by a hummingbird that flits about the bursting blue agapanthus.

During this pandemic period, my son, Miles, was preparing to leave for college. For high school graduation I bought him a butterfly garden with a net enclosure and five caterpillars. Only after ordering it did I recognize the symbolism of the gift—that my son too, was about to transform and fly off into the world.

The caterpillars arrived in a plastic cup, and as predestined, they made their way to the plastic lid, spun their chrysalides and hung there, still and protected in my living room for 10 days. One day I spent nearly the whole day working on my computer on the patio and completely missed the big reveal. That evening when I checked the net butterfly enclosure, I saw that they had all emerged! Butterflies in my living room and hummingbird on the patio!

Miles worked six weeks during the summer at an outdoor camp, shepherding 7-to-9-year-olds through activities and play in McLaren Park. When it was time—as predestined—Miles took the butterflies to camp and set them free with the kids in his group. Then in late August it was his turn. I delivered Miles to his dorm in Portland, helped him unpack, met his roommate. There will be turbulence this year, unknowns, but our lockdown was his chrysalis and, as predestined, he was ready to take flight.
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San Francisco Sunset with Hummingbird - Robin Roth
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Bruin is a writer, artist, and erstwhile activist. She has worked in publishing, event management, operations, and is currently the director for Osher Lifelong learning Institute (OLLI) at San Francisco State University. Kathy is the founder of About-Face, a media literacy campaign which educates about the way media impact female body image. Among other appearances for About-Face, she was “punked” on a Comedy Central program called Crossballs. Kathy also produces Bruin Snappy Cards and a meditative game called the Fox Box. She lives in San Francisco.  
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Vistas & Byways Review is the semiannual journal of fiction, nonfiction and poetry by members of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at San Francisco State University​.​
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at San Francisco State University (OLLI at SF State) provides communal and material support to theVistas & Byways  volunteer staff.