“Fly, Butterfly………Fly” In Memory of Mom
I hope you don’t mind but I would like to share something with you that happened in 2011. My brothers and I, along with spouses, had the privilege of sitting at the bedside of our Mother for three days, as she was in the process of leaving this world behind, and heading to Heaven. It wasn’t really a sad time, although we would miss her, because there was joy in that room too. We knew that she would soon be in God’s Hands. No better place to be than that.
Approximately 3 years prior, we had gathered around our Dad for about a day before he left for Heaven. That was difficult for Mom, but with family support and great care from the staff of Manor Care in Spokane, WA, she enjoyed a good quality of life for the next couple of years.
We weren’t surprised to get the call those few days before March 31st, 2011, and so, we all came together to be with her. Although Mom was unable to interact, we talked as if she could hear everything. There were stories, shared memories, laughter and tears. It was a precious time. Those of you who have gone through this with your parents, have similar stories, I’m sure.
That something I mentioned in the first sentence of this article….. it has to do with a thought that I believe God put within my heart to help me through that difficult time. Mom’s human body was deteriorating and I began to think of it as a cocoon that housed her soul. Nothing would change the fact that her soul would remain inside her body (cocoon) until God said it was time to leave.
The butterfly, as we know, has various stages of development inside its cocoon. But once ready, the beautiful butterfly emerges and eventually flies away. When I saw my Mother take her last breath, and although it was so emotional, it was such a marvelous and joyous experience knowing that she was finally in Heaven with the Lord. And, that she was there in a beautiful and well body. A word picture came back to my mind once again and I will never forget leaning over my Mother and through my tears saying out loud just moments later …..… “Fly butterfly…… fly.”
You and I might not agree on what was written here, but I needed to write what was on my heart as I remember my Mom on Mother’s Day. I hope you find this encouraging, especially if you haven’t been through this type of loss before. One more thing.. Do you know what else is special about March 31st? It was my Dad’s birthday as well. Amazing isn’t it! Thank you for taking the time to read this personal reflection. May God bless you in a special way.
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave it with regret?
There are better things ahead than any we leave behind”. C.S. Lewis
“I don’t so much pray that my death will be without pain, but that it will be without doubt.” John Piper