This is such an amazing butterfly encounter Ann. So glad you were able to help her and she could finish out her journey in peace and quiet away as well. May her spirit journey well.
What an incredible gift to that butterfly (and yourself) (and your readers), and a reminder that kindness and creativity can take infinite forms.
As I read your story, I was startled by its similarity to a poem I wrote many years ago about bringing a moth indoors. The poem was entirely fictional, and its protagonist did not have your gracious presence of mind. Still, the resonance is striking.
Thank you!! Incredible to witness this even secondhand. Thank you for sharing with us. I had entirely forgotten about the “Grandfather Twilight” book but as soon as I saw the picture I had a flashback to childhood - what a gift
Your gentle heart and the short, but deeply meaningful with the butterfly leaves me speechless. I am just soaking in your story, your images, the whole magical realness of it all. Thank you so much for sharing this sweet, touching experience. I am in awe and wonder if the beauty of it all. xx
It's people like you and love stories like this that bring tears of joy, gratitude and hope to this world, so much in dire need of precisely this, and thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this moment of pure kindness. I have often found my daughter (10) trying to save injured bees and bumblebees (one day, picking her up from school, I couldn’t see her in the playground until someone pointed me to a group of kids, all hunched down, faces close to the ground. When I approached i heard my daughter quietly giving out instructions on how to carefully pick up an injured bumblebee they’d just found and move it to safety- I was so proud of her I had tears in my eyes) so I showed her your video and explained what had happened- she was amazed by how beautiful the butterfly was and curious how you had managed to pick it up - she knows not to touch a butterfly’s wings. Thank you again, Ann!
Your daughter's natural compassion touches me, Sara. And how beautiful it is that you reverence her desire to express it in her everyday life. Oh such goodness! 🤗💛 Please tell her that she is right; butterfly wings are delicate. I offered my butterfly a twig (like you might offer a baby your finger) and she held on, so I could pick her up and let her crawl onto my sleeve. Shielding her from the wind, I carried her into the house and reversed the process to place her in the nest. Thank you for reading-- I hope this microseason is full of wonder for you both!🦋🦋
Thank you, Brian. It was really very similar to the way I feel when a human patient trusts me to care for them. It's such an honor to be allowed to help someone through a difficult and vulnerable time. I always feel in awe of that kind of trust.
Every bit of this is pure gift. Thank you for sharing pictures and the video. I don't know that I would have the presence of mind to share a picture book with another creature. Your attention and level of care are astounding.
When I lived in the jungle, blue morphos would often fly on the paths cut in the jungle instead of through the tangle of trees. It always blew my mind that we were on the very same path together!!
This is such an amazing butterfly encounter Ann. So glad you were able to help her and she could finish out her journey in peace and quiet away as well. May her spirit journey well.
Truly a special time, thank you Neil. It felt like a gift.
Comfort, company, kindness ... and beautiful picture books. A safe and peaceful way to live to the end of a life, short or long.
Thank you for your tender heart, Ann. 💛🌿
Thank you, Elizabeth. These are the things we all crave. 💛🦋
What a beautiful, caring thing you did to make her end of life so safe and comfortable ❤
I loved getting to be with her, Tania. Thanks for reading. 🌿✨
What an incredible gift to that butterfly (and yourself) (and your readers), and a reminder that kindness and creativity can take infinite forms.
As I read your story, I was startled by its similarity to a poem I wrote many years ago about bringing a moth indoors. The poem was entirely fictional, and its protagonist did not have your gracious presence of mind. Still, the resonance is striking.
https://thingswrittendown.blogspot.com/2009/01/moth.html
Ohhhhhhhhh Kate....we share a special reverence for the Luna Moth. That was Gorgeous.
I echo what everyone else has said 💓🦋 Thank you Ann, for sharing this tender and very sweet experience
Thank you for your heart, Emma! 💛✨
So lovely; thank you. As a long ago hospice volunteer, I appreciated your mindful framing of this situation.
I think of Mary Oliver's words, so gently singing so many beings home --
"... and, when the time comes to let it go,... "
https://wordsfortheyear.com/2014/03/28/in-blackwater-woods-by-mary-oliver/
I love Mary Oliver, too, Daniel. She had a way of describing the mystery of the human condition so simply, and so beautifully. Thank you, truly. 🦋
Thank you!! Incredible to witness this even secondhand. Thank you for sharing with us. I had entirely forgotten about the “Grandfather Twilight” book but as soon as I saw the picture I had a flashback to childhood - what a gift
Beautiful xo
Your gentle heart and the short, but deeply meaningful with the butterfly leaves me speechless. I am just soaking in your story, your images, the whole magical realness of it all. Thank you so much for sharing this sweet, touching experience. I am in awe and wonder if the beauty of it all. xx
Oh Liz, that's the feeling I was hoping to share. I was so magical and so real all at once.
The hyper-empath in me is crying, but I love that you were able to be a death doula for this wonderful being.
Conny, you understand. Thank you for being here.
The butterfly friend for the injuries butterfly 😭😭😭 this is so adorable thank you for showing such kindness
Isabelle, 💛
It's people like you and love stories like this that bring tears of joy, gratitude and hope to this world, so much in dire need of precisely this, and thank you.
Oh Marilyn, you are generous. 🦋🦋🦋
Thank you so much for sharing this moment of pure kindness. I have often found my daughter (10) trying to save injured bees and bumblebees (one day, picking her up from school, I couldn’t see her in the playground until someone pointed me to a group of kids, all hunched down, faces close to the ground. When I approached i heard my daughter quietly giving out instructions on how to carefully pick up an injured bumblebee they’d just found and move it to safety- I was so proud of her I had tears in my eyes) so I showed her your video and explained what had happened- she was amazed by how beautiful the butterfly was and curious how you had managed to pick it up - she knows not to touch a butterfly’s wings. Thank you again, Ann!
Your daughter's natural compassion touches me, Sara. And how beautiful it is that you reverence her desire to express it in her everyday life. Oh such goodness! 🤗💛 Please tell her that she is right; butterfly wings are delicate. I offered my butterfly a twig (like you might offer a baby your finger) and she held on, so I could pick her up and let her crawl onto my sleeve. Shielding her from the wind, I carried her into the house and reversed the process to place her in the nest. Thank you for reading-- I hope this microseason is full of wonder for you both!🦋🦋
Thank you! She’s happy she now knows what to do if she ever encounters a butterfly in need. 🦋💚
Been going through a bit a a rough patch here. The pause and delicateness of this lifts my heart. You're a kind soul.
Ron, it's my honor to touch your heart and lift it gently up. That's more than I could hope for in writing this. Deep peace to you.
🙏❤️
A grateful heart that you share this life with us! So touched and validated. Stay amazing! 💕🦋🐛🐝🦎🐌
Kate, wow 💛 such kindness! x
This is so beautiful. And amazing that you cater for her this way!
Thank you, Brian. It was really very similar to the way I feel when a human patient trusts me to care for them. It's such an honor to be allowed to help someone through a difficult and vulnerable time. I always feel in awe of that kind of trust.
Every bit of this is pure gift. Thank you for sharing pictures and the video. I don't know that I would have the presence of mind to share a picture book with another creature. Your attention and level of care are astounding.
Thanks, Kortney! I named her Persephone because of your beautiful chapbook. 🦋
Oh what joy!
When I lived in the jungle, blue morphos would often fly on the paths cut in the jungle instead of through the tangle of trees. It always blew my mind that we were on the very same path together!!
That must of been surreal! 💙