It began with a quiet surprise — dozens of baby praying mantises had hatched by my doorstep, each no bigger than my pinky. I stood in awe, watching life unfold in miniature.
These fragile insects emerge from a foamy egg case called an ootheca, laid by the female and left to endure the winter until spring warmth releases the nymphs. Praying mantises are patient hunters, feeding on pests like flies and mosquitoes, their movements a study in grace and precision. Many cultures see them as symbols of patience, mindfulness, and luck. As the hatchlings vanished into my garden, I felt blessed — reminded that life continually renews itself for those who pause long enough to notice.
