Nana Ree’s Butterfly
Ten years ago my mum was taken from us after fighting a three year battle with an aggressive, traveling cancer. My mum, though small in stature, was a mighty warrior, a picture of grace and a lover of the unseen people. She loved with her entire heart and soul.
Naturally, her passing stripped my siblings and I of her constant love which we depended on heavily. Especially since she was a single parent. In God’s kindness he reassured us that though she wasn’t here physically she would always be close by in spirit. My siblings and I live in four different locations and on four different occasions we saw the same yellow butterfly. Not only was the butterfly a constant variable, on those four occasions we were all missing our mum.
We didn’t learn of each other’s chance encounteruntil we all shared selfies with a butterfly on our sibling text chain. As each picture appeared on the screen we were all left speechless. Not only were the pictures a testament to God’s kindness. They were a reminder of the intrinsic connection we will always have with one another and our mum.
One year later and God is still showing his kindness and love to me….
On a usually quiet and sunny day my kids were joyfully splashing in the pool while basking in the glow of the sun. I sat watching them, giggling to myself as they carelessly tried to dunk their faces in the water. While deep in play and laughter, Rose ( my daughter) ,suddenly shot up out of the water. She pointed to the sky as she exclaimed “Look Mom, Nana Ree’s butterfly!” Mouth agape, she traced the butterfly’s flight pattern with her finger as it danced across the yard. The warmth of her smile and the level of enthusiasm she had for this joyous occasion brought tears to my eyes.
God was at it again. In the peace and joy of that moment, he brought the unexpected. He met me in the familiarity of my backyard. Understanding that in those moments with my children, I miss my mum the most. My mum never met my husband or my children. But she built a legacy for Rose and Alastair way before they came to fruition.
“My mum never met my husband or my children. But she built a legacy for Rose and Alastair way before they came to fruition.”
Now Rose knows the significance of Nana Ree’s butterfly. What’s more is that she is learning the kindness, the peace, and the love God has for her and her brother. My prayer and hope for them both is that they will stand with confidence on the legacy that was built for them by their Nana Ree. She prayed for them faithfully even though she had the knowledge that she would never meet them here on this earth.
In the fullness of life and through the loss don’t forget
When the bees sting….find the honey.
-Patience
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