I recently saw a beautiful large yellow and black butterfly, an Eastern Giant Swallowtail, enjoying a garden full of yellow Lantana flowers. I was surprised to find that I could get very close and even take some pictures.
As I walked away, I started thinking about the metamorphosis that the butterfly had to go through- egg, larva, pupa and then adult, with each stage serving a specific purpose.
My mind wandered to Father’s Day and the first year that I would not have my dad. I thought about the butterfly as a metaphor for the changes in my life- baby, child, teen, and then adult, and the way that my dad guided me.
I also thought about the changes that I am going through now without my dad. I know that the LORD will be with me as I go through the stages of grief and HE will be there when I need HIM.
This year to honor my dad, I am going to take a walk outside and carry his memory with me.
And…
I thought that this reflection was finished but I decided that I needed to write more after I received an e-mail from my cousin. I would like to share a portion of her e-mail.
“I am writing to let you know that Mom passed away yesterday at 5 pm. It was very interesting that when she was in the ER yesterday, she kept looking up at the corner of the room. When we asked her what she was looking at, she said ‘Bill’ and when we said, ‘Bill who” she clearly said ‘Bill Kaeding’. We took that as a sign that your dad had come to get her and bring her to heaven to be with the others that went before her. It was very comforting.”
It was very reassuring to know that, even though he is not physically with us on Earth, my dad continues to do God's work.
Mary Kaeding