Friday, September 9, 2011

Butterflies

It's wedding eve. People keep asking, "Are you getting butterflies yet?" We've had butterflies all along. We call them "swallowtail blessings." It might seem weird, but it works for us. Examples include the time we visited the Athena City Park to get an idea of what it might be like to hold a wedding evening family barbecue there. Several swallowtails flitted past. We took that as a good sign that it would all work out and be a fun day. You see, Teri's mom, Helen, loved swallowtail butterflies. When Helen died of leukemia in 2003, Teri took the butterflies with her to give her courage and strength in difficult times.

Now the butterflies give both of us signs that we are doing the right thing. For example, just as I began the climb up 10,945-foot Beartooth Pass in Montana this July by bicycle, I was visited by a swallowtail. The trip -- this huge challenge -- was the right thing to do. Helen was giving her blessing.

If -- when -- we get butterflies at the wedding tomorrow, 9-10-11, it will be a good thing. It will mean Helen is there giving us her blessing.

No comments:

Post a Comment