Today, I found myself in the company of a yellow jacket, a creature often misunderstood and dismissed. Yet, in this moment, there was a quiet connection, a mutual recognition of existence. As it walked near me, its delicate antennae moving with purpose, I couldn’t help but be struck by its intricate beauty, the elegance in its tiny movements. I spoke to it softly, words of admiration flowing naturally “adorable,” “beautiful,” “cute.”

As I reached for my phone and turned on some music, Frank Sinatra’s timeless melodies filled the space. The yellow jacket seemed to respond, drawing closer to the sound, its curiosity evident. It moved with a kind of grace, exploring its surroundings, fluttering past the shower curtain and eventually joining another of its kind on the opposite wall. Together, they danced in the air, their antennae quivering with energy and life.

I continued to speak to them, as I would to my cats, with a gentle tone that conveyed care and affection. There was a profound sense of peace in this interaction, a moment where the boundaries between species seemed to blur. In this brief encounter, I was reminded of the simple truth that all life, no matter how small, is deserving of our respect and kindness. These yellow jackets, often feared or swatted away, revealed themselves to be creatures of beauty and wonder, worthy of appreciation.

It was a moment of unexpected connection, a reminder that when we approach the world with openness and respect, even the smallest beings can touch our hearts. In their presence, I found a sense of calm, a quiet joy in recognizing the shared life that pulses through all of us.