I would like to share a story of a lady I once knew. Her name was Eileen. She was 93 years young about 11 years ago. Eileen refused to have the trappings of the modern times hurry her through life and ruin her constitution. She had developed her own principals on how best to live life and no one was going to challenge her or persuade her otherwise. She was truly amazing. I enjoyed my weekly visits with Eileen so much. I'm sure she knew it too. We had 50+ years separating us by age but with this woman and I, age was absolutely no barrier to great conversation. She was cheeky, serious, funny, wise, romantic and still had a verve for life that surpassed many young people I know today. I used to look upon her with eyes of wonderment as even though she had many faced many challenges in life and was still facing insurmountable troubles at this point in her life, she made definite choices not to allow thoughts into her mind that could pervade her way of life.
Eileen was an eclectic, bright and amazing woman. Her home was an extension of her earthly body. It too was eclectic, bright and amazing; like music to the eyes. Eileen was an avid butterfly lover. She painted butterflies, she made butterflies and had everything butterfly she could inside her house. She even lured butterflies into her garden by filling it with colour.
Eileen also believed that butterflies were the souls of the newly departed, which is where I am taking you with this story.
One day I came to visit Eileen and she was sitting out on her front porch waiting for me. She looked distant in her thoughts and appeared a little melancholy. She patted the wrought iron chair beside her, in a gesture to come sit with her. So I did. She stared out at her garden which was in full bloom and was silent for a few moments. I just sat in silence with her, as this seemed to me to be the most appropriate response at the time. I admired the garden with her. It looked and smelled amazing. She placed her hand gently upon mine and told me her son had just left. She went on to tell me that her son had been driving along the freeway only few hours earlier on his way to work. He was in his early 50's. She said he pulled over to the side of the freeway & passed on from a heart attack. Eileen then said she knew he was gone before she received the call. She said that right at the same time her son would have been taking his last earthly breathes, she had a butterfly come and sit on her hand. She said it sat there for the longest time and appeared to be looking at her. The butterfly was black with blue on it's wings, which was not the usual colour of the butterflies that visited her garden. She said, "I know it was him, I just know it was. He came to say goodbye before he went away." Well, I can't express the depth of sadness that I had for Eileen at this moment. I knew how fond she was of her son. He was the only one of her 4 children that shared the same love of gardening and butterflies that she did and was also the only one to ring and visit her often.
I have never forgotten this beautiful woman and every time I see a butterfly, my minds travels to her and to all the loved ones that I have lost. Bless them all!
provoking memories of a very beautiful person from my
life's journey. Thank you Tess!
