(Submitted by Coleene in California)
When my 26-year-old son passed away I mourned deeply. We moved to a new place that had a park very close by. I had trouble sleeping, so I’d wake up at 4:30 a.m., put on my tennis shoes, and with some music I’d walk in circles around and around the park. It had huge Pine trees and Sycamore trees around it.
During these walks I’d cry and pray a lot. At dawn when the sun peeked up promising a new day, the Swallowtail butterflies, waiting in the trees, would float down and accompany me during my healing walk. Every morning that summer this happened—as dawn broke tons of butterflies would flutter around me.
Every morning the butterflies would faithfully be waiting for me. I then began seeing them, specifically Swallowtails, during significant times – for example, when I was talking about my son or thinking of him.
The following year, I volunteered to sponsor a Kidney Walk to raise awareness and research funds for my son’s particular kind of kidney disease. I met the coordinator at a local restaurant and as we walked up to the door, a swallowtail flew with us. As we were seated by a window, the same butterfly relentlessly, proudly, flew back and forth past the window the whole time we were eating and planning for the walk.
It’s been 7 years, and now butterflies of all kinds bless me with a tangible sign of love from the Lord and His healing ways.
The inspiration and courage the butterflies (God) gave to me has manifested a dream in me to write encouragement to others through a children’s book, which I hope to publish soon. Most importantly, I feel a deeper faith in all He has for us, through even the toughest of times.
