In my world, butterflies are pretties for decorating & holding papers on the refrigerator. I hadn't realized how relevant they might be to my current life situation when I photographed the butterfly collection on display at the Samaritan Village (below) the last time I visited my mother there.
At the funeral home I saw more butterfly art on the walls and inquired the reason. It was explained that the background of the home was basically Christian and that these were symbols to indicate that affiliation while not making people of other faiths uncomfortable. According to The Google, the butterfly symbolizes the soul and/or resurrection.
I looked at the display with new understanding when the Dotter and I visited the Village to collect Mom's personal effects. Her garden gloves and plaque were still on the door to her room, though her name plate had been removed.
And on her empty bed was a single red rose. A lovely tribute by the nursing home staff.
In my world, butterflies are pretties for decorating & holding papers on the refrigerator. I hadn't realized how relevant they might be to my current life situation when I photographed the butterfly collection on display at the Samaritan Village (below) the last time I visited my mother there.
At the funeral home I saw more butterfly art on the walls and inquired the reason. It was explained that the background of the home was basically Christian and that these were symbols to indicate that affiliation while not making people of other faiths uncomfortable. According to The Google, the butterfly symbolizes the soul and/or resurrection.
I looked at the display with new understanding when the Dotter and I visited the Village to collect Mom's personal effects. Her garden gloves and plaque were still on the door to her room, though her name plate had been removed.
And on her empty bed was a single red rose. A lovely tribute by the nursing home staff.
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9 comments:
I'm so glad you have your Dotter to help you through this sad time.
The symbolism of the butterfly is lovely. I didn;t know it:)
The pictures are gorgeous!
I've only just arrived to learn about your mum; so very sorry to hear.
That rose is a lovely thing to do; sometimes the emptiness of a room and bed no longer inhabited can be terribly hard to look at, that's so thoughtful. And the butterflies are beautiful.
My VeggiGirl has everything butterflies. I also learned through her that they are a symbol of resurrection.
May you spot a butterfly each time you are lonely for your mother.
We are new to your blog and have picked a sad time to join you. Your mother has a very special daughter... Our condolences, mark and bobbie
The butterfly, symbolizing the soul, appears in many civilizations. The Roman emperor, Hadrian addressed his as:
"Animula, vagula, blandula,
Hospes comesque corporis".
(Gentle, fleeting butterfly
Friend and associate of this clay)
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Granny J! This was a beautiful tribute to your mother as well, the act of stopping to look around and then share it with us (like you do so well)
That picture of the rose really made me choke up. It's nice to find out that even presumably jaded nursing home staff will pause to mark such an occasion.
brain -- not just the dotter but also the sson!
lucy -- the rose was a heart-breaker, but a lovely gesture!
pb -- already I am looking for the first butterflies. With all the rain we've had, we might have a much better crop!
adventurers -- welcome -- I'm sorry you didn't happen here at a more cheerful time!
avus -- and so the Christians took their clue from the Romans, as they did in many ways!
cb -- there should be more -- I have been promised that Ashes of Arizona will take a photo or two of the Superstitions when Mom's ashes are scattered there, to join my father's ashes. They met on a picnic in those mountains.
melanie -- we had expected to be prodded to clear out the room to make way for another sick person; instead, there was the rose. we really appreciated that gesture.
granny j..thank you for sharing the lovely pictures. You know, of course, that I am partial to butterflies.
The rose was a wonderful gesture on the part of the nursing home people..I know it touched your heart.
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