About  half an hour ago when I took things out to the trash the most beautiful little butterfly lit on my finger.  It was a bright orange with three black eyes on each wing.  The underside of the wings were black and white spotted.  I love butterflies and lady bugs.  But this little fella just stayed with me.  First on my finger, then my hand, then on my arm and onto my shoulder.  I thought it possibly was thirsty (I suppose butterflies get thirsty) so I walked into the house to get it some water.  It was now over my heart with it's wings spread out.  I walked back outside to set the water down for it to have a sip.  He didn't seem to want to let go.  I gently placed him on the water where he stayed only a few seconds and then he was back on me.

We went back inside and sat in the living room.  I know this sounds really crazy, but I was talking to it just like I would to one of my children's pets.  After a while I guess I started boring him to death because he decided to fly to the front window where he stayed on the screen.  After 5 minuets passed I placed my finger in front of it.  And sure enough he started walking up my finger onto my hand.

It's absolutely beautiful here in Florida this morning.  The sun is shining, there's a soft breeze and 0% humidity.  What a perfect day to set him free.  We walked outside, all the while I kept talking to him and he just stayed with me.  Finally I told him it was time to fly away.  Reluctantly he flew off.  And for whatever reason I feel like I had been given a most precious gift.

I was taken back in thought to my Mother's back porch where the two of us would sit and talk.  Dad had already passed away 3 months before and Mom was nearing the end.  I asked her if she was afraid of dying.  She told me no, that she was at peace.  As we were sitting there chatting a lovely butterfly was hovering around.  I half kiddingly said to Mom that may-be it was a sign from Dad.  We continued talking about life and death.  She then looked at me and said, Linda I'm sad that I'll no longer be able to put my arms around you and hold you tightly.  I looked at her and reassured her that she would still be with me and that she could put her arms around me whenever she felt like it.  We hugged and kissed.  I was missing my Mom already and she was right there with me.

For whatever reason, I feel as though that marvelous butterfly was there to reassure me that my parents were still with me.  And I really felt my Mother's arms around me.  And I thanked God for that very special moment in time.