This past weekend I had a visitor; a really special visitor.
But first, let me give a little bit of background…
I narrated a trip to my uncle’s greenhouse in this post last June. It was a special Sunday for my mom and I; one of the first time we both bought flowers without my grandma. It was emotional; every flower I touched and smelled reminded me of her. My mom and I blinked through tear-filled eyes during most of our greenhouse trip.
The post does not tell the story of the unique butterfly that fluttered along beside us during most of our hunt. The butterfly not only stuck close to our sides, but examined each hanging basket, perennial, and veggie we had in our cardboard boxes. At one point, my mom made a comment, ‘I’ve never seen that type of butterfly before. It’s almost as if it’s checking through our flower picks to make sure they’re good ones.’ She had stopped and smiled, and with tears in her eyes had continued saying, ‘it’s like… something Grandma would have done.’
We drove home, with a trunk full of flowers, feeling a little closer to the woman who taught us both everything we know about flowers.
Now, this is where the story gets interesting…
Soon after the visit from the butterfly in the greenhouse, my family was preparing for my sister Justine’s high school graduation. We were all scurrying about my parents house, making sure everything looked perfect for my baby sis on her big day. My sister and I were busy mixing a white wine sangria inside, my dad and Tony had run out for more ice, [the day was sweltering], and as my mom was putting the final touches on the pasta bar, under navy and white tissued poms, the butterfly visited again.
The butterfly danced over the her spread of breads, pasta, and dessert; as if she was again, checking to make sure everything looked perfect before the guests arrived. [My grandma gladly helped my mom prepare and display the breads, sweets, and sandwiches for both mine and my other sister’s graduation parties].
My mom ran inside to share who she had seen, and her and my sisters and I took a couple minutes in the kitchen to let our tears drip down our cheeks & smile knowing she was with us on another special day.
Throughout last summer the butterfly visited a couple more times; once in my backyard, landing on Ace’s back as he swam in my pool, [my Grandma LOVED Ace], and another time in my grandparents back patio, showing herself to my mom, my aunts, and my Grandpa, himself.
We’ve realized she only shows herself and visits during special times in our family.
She was present for the first time this June, again, out at my uncle’s greenhouse, before my Grandma’s family reunion celebration. She fluttered by my mom, aunt, and uncle, as my mom was stating she hadn’t seen her yet this summer.
It’s much more than coincidence. It’s her.
It’s her, reminding all of us she’s still here, she’s happy, and she’s definitely still in all of our hearts.
So, as I was saying, this past weekend, I had a visitor.
I was in the front of my house, with a best friend, Amanda, pointing out my hydrangea tree, [flowers, it’s always flowers or a celebration], when I heard Amanda say, “Oh, that’s a pretty butterfly.”
And as I got closer, I knew exactly who it was, slowly gliding from one hydrangea bunch to the next.
This time, I was able to capture the moment in a picture.
I still cry thinking of how much I miss her. But I also smile, knowing she’s never far away.
xoxo
Ta-Ta my darlings
LOVE this picture 🙂