June 4, 2023
“When God becomes glad with our good works, he sends the cute animals, birds, and butterflies near us like a signal to express his happiness!”
– Md. Ziaul Haque
When Ann’s husband Cletus died at 93, her son Mark told her, “Mom, you have to get over Dad’s death. He’s not coming back … now get out and play some golf.” To help in her grief, Mark would go golfing with her, even though she’d tell him, “Go out with your friends. You don’t have to be with me.” But he didn’t listen.
Three years later, Mark passed away at 53, and the pain of losing her husband and son was unimaginable. Even now, she can’t watch golf on TV because it reminds her of them. She says they both had the same swing.
Shortly after Mark passed, a woman arrived at Ann’s door and gave her a framed poem she had written, as a reminder of her wonderful, caring son. The woman’s random act of kindness helped Ann get through another day.
Markie’s Butterfly
By Pat Rowe
Standing here I see your name,
The date that you arrived.
My eyes wander to the right
To see the day you died.
I never thought that I’d be here
Feeling quite like this.
Your face, your laugh, your crazy ways,
All this and more I miss.
Suddenly my train of thought
Is on a passer-by
Not a person you would expect
Just one majestic butterfly
Flying around your stone, my friend,
Going left then gliding right,
Suddenly it landed still
Motionless in flight.
Six more flew around your grave
As I began to cry
Three landed on your date of birth
Three on the day you died.
The majestic one sat on your name
With an almost sense of pride.
Was this attempt to let me know
Your spirit was alive?
A gentle breeze blew by my face
I know the reason why
As they flew by, I felt your grace
My tears began to dry.