Dancing with Butterflies: Lessons in Love, Life & Belonging

I’m his “Coco,” and he’s one of my greatest gifts in life—my one-year-old godson, Prince Kiyloh. Through his eyes, I’ve been reintroduced to the magic of life’s smallest moments.  

As a Circle of Security facilitator, I know how important it is for children to have a “secure base”—a space where they feel safe to explore, stumble, and return for comfort. For Kiyloh, one of those places is Dunns Farm, a Historic Overtown treasure. From his earliest days, even before he could crawl, this garden has been his sanctuary. Together, we sit, listen to the rhythms of the city and nature, and soak in the beauty of this brand-new-to-him world.  

This is one of our happy places. As Kiyloh grows, it’s become a space where he can explore, experiment, and play. Surrounded by people who love and believe in him, he’s learning that even when he falls, there are soft places to land, hands to guide him back up, and a village that celebrates his growth.  

Books are another way we anchor ourselves in connection. Some of our favorites include Zora’s Garden, by Rae Chesny, Some Days I Breathe on Purpose by Kellie Bailey, and Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem. These stories not only inspire his curiosity, they also root him in the rich legacy of resilience and mindfulness that resides within him. We’ll often sit in the garden with a book in hand, reading until his little attention span pulls us toward the next adventure.  

When we visit, I see his confidence grow as he discovers his sovereignty. Whether he’s chasing butterflies, chickens, or dragon flies–moving his body to the rhythms of the music, or feeling the textures of soil and leaves, he’s fully alive and connected to his roots. I remind him often that the magic of the butterfly lies in its freedom—teaching him that beauty, awe, and respect can and must coexist.  

Our time at the farm is filled with lessons that I pray will stay with him: mindfulness, sustainability, connection, and the power of his heritage & legacy. Chef Krys nurtures his curiosity, teaching him to care for plants and tend to the earth with patience and love. Dr. Marvin Dunn shares the stories of Overtown, planting seeds of truth and knowing that will become more evident later. 

Through every moment at our garden, Kiyloh is learning that he is the embodiment of his ancestors’ wildest dreams, rooted in a history of strength and surrounded by a village invested in his success. He’s free to run, dance, and explore with joy, knowing he is held by love.  

I pray this sense of wonder, freedom, and belonging will remain with him always. Dunns Farm creates spaces where children of all ages like Kiyloh…and me… can grow up secure, mindful, and deeply connected to who we are.  

Thank you Dr. Dunn, Chef Chrys, and the entire Dunn’s Farm and Miami Center for Racial Justice family for all of your contributions to our village–and even more important, “Our Happy Place”!

To support this work and experience the magic of Dunns Farm, visit their website and bring your loved ones to share in this joy.