Jean writes...

I recently rewatched the movie “Patch Adams”. I had seen it several years ago. In one scene, “Patch” the radical medical student, is talking to his girlfriend about her childhood. She tells him she used to watch caterpillars and they moved to being butterflies and wished that she could make that change. The significance is that later in the movie she is murdered by a patient. Patch is devastated and searching for life to make sense. He is standing atop a hill talking to God. His is visited by a beautiful monarch butterfly that literally sits on his finger. It is a life changing event for him in his spiritual journey. That scene was different for me this time around. After the death of my mom 3 years ago, it was a very difficult time for me. I had the privilege of being her primary care giver for quite some time. One of her favorite things in the world was to hear the cardinal sing and if she spotted a male cardinal, she was ecstatic over their beauty. She was a very avid nature lover. I was especially missing her on what would have been her 85th birthday - 3 months after she died. Through my tears I looked out on our deck and their was the most beautiful big red cardinal. To me it was a sign that she was fine and that she would always be with me. Since then, every time I hear or see a cardinal, I remember that moment and feel at peace. I believe that is God working in our world. At this time of self reflection, it is times like those we miss if we aren’t listening with our heart. I am truly blessed in my journey.