Butterfly Day

Today was a special day.  A day to spend with wonderful friends to celebrate all things butterfly and all that represents for us.  Four years ago today I lost a great friend to cancer. 

Every August 14th friends and family gather at his parents house for a "celebration".  It is exactly the kind of thing he would love.  After his death, his young daughters declared that he was now a butterfly. That idea has stuck with all of us.    Butterfly everything has been exchanged back and forth.  

A few months ago, for my birthday, I received the most special gift.  It was a butterfly house for my yard.

What made it more special was that it was a "true family" gift.  This house was given to me by Tim's sister, constructed by Tim's father and painted by his mother.    I just simply love it and all that it represents.



Delicate little forget-me-nots painted along the sides.

A resident of the house perhaps.....

I love sitting out on the back deck and looking at this house. 

As each year passes we share more laughs than tears on August 14th.  We sat around in the sun, and watched the children in the pool, while the adults had a few refreshments.  Even Sasha the dog got worn out from all the people.

Butterflies and Blueberries

My last day of summer vacation ended on a high note.   Thank goodness, because the past 2 weeks have been less than stellar.

But today I spent with a special group of friends. Today was the third anniversary of the loss of a special friend.  One of his wishes was that his friends and family get together each year on this day. 

His parents host the event and, as per Tim's hope, it is less of a sad day when we are all together laughing and sharing.  Having his two little girls running around entertaining us doesn't hurt either. 

The girls (his girls) decided 3 years ago that their Dad was now a butterfly so the symbol is everywhere. His sister and I exchange something each year.  This year I received a beautiful pair of butterfly earrings from her. 

Before I left, Tim's Mom told me she had something in the kitchen for me ----  a 2 litre ice cream container filled with fresh blueberries she hand picked yesterday.  Not a leaf or a twig in the container.  And these are not those large high bush berries - they are the small sweet low bush berries.  It must have taken her hours to fill that container.  I felt a little guilty taking them but she said if I left without them she would kill me!    Now, what will I make with them??

It was a perfect day with great friends.   It might make going back to work tomorrow a little less painful.  Why is it the last night of vacation feels like "dead man walking"?