A number of years ago my daughter and some of the grandchildren and I went to a craft place and I painted a beautiful ceramic monarch. Every spring I hung it up on the fence in our back yard and brought it in again when winter made its entrance.
This spring there was grief occupying my mind and I forgot. In late summer I saw it in the basement and brought it upstairs. I decided to hang it on a nail on the deck instead of on the fence so that I would see it more often. While watering plants my arm brushed against it and my beautiful butterfly lay in several pieces at my feet. I was devastated!
Grandson Ivan happened to be at my house. He said, "Oma, I have some strong glue at home, I'll glue it back together for you."
He gathered up the pieces and took them home. This is the boy for whom I made a butterfly quilt when he was born. There is a monarch on the top right of the quilt below. The picture was taken a number of years ago.
This year he has a summer job and will be finishing high school in the near future. I hope he will be strong and courageous as he journeys through life! Like the monarch, the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. They know when it is time to travel south for the winter, using environmental cues. They fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home, using a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. Monarchs cluster together to stay warm. Tens of thousands of monarchs can cluster on a single tree. Although monarchs alone weigh less than a gram, tens of thousands of them weigh a lot, sometimes even breaking branches.
I too, need the courage of a monarch as I continue to navigate life on my own! I'm thankful that I can be in a cluster with others who support and encourage me!
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I hope I can be part of that cluster❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteSweet Ivan!!
ReplyDeleteYou most definitely have been part of that supportive cluster, a true and loving sister to me
DeleteThe cluster...is a wonderful way of expressing the loyalty and love-care that happens in a community which has been extended to you abundantly. You have been that for me as well. Praise God.
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen, for all your love and support over the years. We went through a lot together!
DeleteWhat a beautiful analogy Elfrieda. I have seen your courage as you navigate your way through a new way of life and how little
ReplyDeleteblessings ( like Ivan’s offering to glue your butterfly together) help you forge ahead. I am honoured to be a part of the “cluster” who love and support you….Ruth
Thank you, Ruth, both you and Marge have been such a good sisterly support for me. It means a lot!
DeleteLife lessons are all around us, Elfrieda. Your Monarch offers a beautiful one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol, nature is a wonderful teacher isn’t it?
ReplyDeleteWhen I click on your monthly post, I know I'm in for a treat, Elfrieda. Thank you for the lessons from the Monarch, grandson Ivan, and your own example of courage. :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marian! Your encouragement and support has been so wonderful, not only in your comments here, but also through the mail!
ReplyDeleteAren't grandchildren Awesome, Elfrieda? Sure love my 13.🤭 Thanks again, for your post!
ReplyDeleteI Think this comment is from you, cousin Anne? I have 8 grandkids now in their teens and twenties. Wonderful human beings navigating their way through life!
ReplyDeleteI have a message for Ivan: you are a "repairer of the breech," an honorable, Biblical calling (Isaiah 58). And the butterfly is your special spirit companion, selected by your grandmother. i know that you will fly to great heights, and I bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley, I will definitely pass this message on to Ivan! This blessing is a great honor both to him and to me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elfrieda, for your posts. Twenty-four years ago, when my mother was still with me in Florida, we went to Arby's for lunch. When I stepped down the car to help my mother I noticed a Monarch butterfly on the curve. I helped my mother down the car and came back to check the butterfly. She had somehow crossed her wings in such a way that she could not fly. She obviously was alive but exhausted trying to get free. I gently took her in my hands and managed to uncross her wings. She felt the freedom and moved her wings but stayed in my hand for a little while. She slowly turned around, and I knew she was staring at me. It was an amazing moment. My mother was silent, also staring at the beautiful creation of God. Finally, the Monarch flew away and landed on a tree branch. I joined hands with my mother and said a prayer of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that beautiful experience! You paid attention where others might have just walked away or even stepped on it.
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