Inspirational Stories

Stories Contributed by Our Visitors:
July 2007 to December 2007
(Newest Items at Top of List)

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Kristy Dahms, Cobden, ON, CANADA: The butterfly - the beautiful result of an inner transformation. It was almost a year ago now that the butterly became a personal symbol in my life's journey. I was undergoing a huge transition in job and life, one that I did not totally understand at the time, but God gave me an image of what he was going to do through the journey ahead....a cocoon and butterfly. Nature's process now was becoming real in my own heart and life. I was going into a cocoon of preparation for the new life ahead, and one day I would be released from that preparation with beauty and freedom. During the last nine months I have been reminded almost daily by frist seeing cocoons everywhere, but lately it has been the beauty of the butterfly that encourages me that my promise of inner transformation is almost done, and a new season I will begin. One day while on a walk on a country road, various butterflies danced about as I stood in awe of their magestic dance.

It is amazing how often butterflies come up in conversation, on advertising and packaging, and on the TV. But my highlight was going to the butterfly museum last month and being amazed at the brilliance, diversity, and beauty of the different spieces. The creator is creative!

So, be encouraged if you are undergoing change and a transformation, that just as the butterfly spends time in preparation for beauty - so we to must and then just at the right moment are released for beauty and freedom.

Jessica Gudobba, Clinton Township, MI: Today while visiting my parents in Alger, MI in the cold of winter we were greeted in the garage by a beautiful butterfly! The amazing part was this fabulous insect is large, gorgeous, and full of life. While my son whose is 4 has given it a name, his name, Angelo, he also is learning a great deal by this experience. My son asked questions about it's phenominal colors,(yellow black and white) and what it needs to eat to survive. In which brought us to your website where we thought if anything we could share this joyful story with those who would appreciate it, while we are on the hunt to learn and understand our late blooming friend and how we can help him survive till spring! Wish us luck! Thank you for inspiring us by your website and spirit!

Karina Daluz, Hong Kong: I havent written a poem within 5 minutes in my whole lifetime... there's this person... I just met... actually, we havent been properly introduced... we met technically in his class... a class that I loved so much.... then one time... there was a 10 second bliss that I felt... a feeling that I havent felt for a long time.... a dance... which changed my life... it was my "dance for life"

My inquisitiveness led me to a point or two... a revelation that went beyond skin deep... through butterflies and ashram... and the physical attraction at first... went way beyond liking to something pure, deep and divine...

and so here it goes:

George,

"You are a beauty that lies deep within,
Butterflies led me to you,
Love like I never knew before...
Like inner light shining within,
To see you once again... someday...
.... Somewhere Over the Rainbow..."

Karina

I'm saying goodbye to somebody... who doesn't even know I exist... but spending time with him for a while really brought out the best in me... I will always be thankful that we crossed each others path in this lifetime... I will forever hold him here... in my heart...

Christalene Karaiskakis, Arnold, MD: The Angel that Approved

What a glorious morning the 11th of August 2007 was the sun was out, the ceremony was about to begin and everyone was waiting with anticipation to see the Groom await his princess.
He wore a beige suit, looking smart, very much like a handsome prince.
As time stood still, he eagerly awaited the arrival of his bride to be.
She flowed elegantly down the aisle, arm in arm with her proud father by her side.
The glow in Bernard’s eyes was so bright that it reflected the life long happiness that he was about to experience with Jocelyn.
Their love fit, like a hand in a glove.
As the reverend blessed them both, I was distracted by the calmness in the air.
Out of the blue, flew a beautiful Monarch butterfly that sweetly harmonized the fresh crisp air. Her Wing’s were spread like an eagle, gliding through the air. It was an angel with wings… Bernard’s mother had arrived….
Not only had she been in the family’s soul, but also in spirit… Showing her approval and contentment… He had made the right decision…….May life be as rich as their love for one another, till death do them part.

She was a phantom of delight. When first she gleamed upon my sight.
A lovely apparition…. And yet a spirit still and bright, with something of an angel light.
William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Paula, Orange, NSW, AUSTRALIA: When the unwelcomed news arrived of a friend having passed away, I described this special person to somebody simply and emphatically as “a beautiful butterfly”. In amazement, I then recalled a vivid, wonderful experience that occurred on the day of her departure;

On that morning I had just finished hanging out the wet clothes. Whilst nearing the back door a brilliant butterfly captured my attention. The wings were larger than any I’d seen before; White, perfect in every way with very fine black markings. The way in which she fluttered around the plant had my eyes fixed and jaw wide open. Even my cat sat down and watched from a metre away. This did not distract the beautiful butterfly as she moved gracefully over some leaves. The butterfly then rested on one leaf for a few moments, with wings out-stretched, before flying up gently, above the roof of the house. In awe I took a step forward, only to marvel at her returning to rest on the same leaf. She moved over the leaves again before going up, this time beyond the roof, up into the sky.

I thank the Lord for the wonderful sign He gave me that a new beginning had taken place for someone who spoke of life, love, and an appreciation for others, especially for her Maker.

Angel, Akron, OH: On April 13, 2007 I was so happy I had caught a Monarch butterfly, my most favorite. I took it inside my home and watched it, I went to look at what nectar it took. I found that flower and on my way home leaves. Before I knew it it had laid 3 eggs on the kitchen counter. At least they were goopy and looked like eggs. I tried to pick them up and it was hard they dried. I felt bad they had to die sooner or later. I let the monarch go I knew it was better after me killing the babies. But after all catching and watching a Monarch was the best expirence ever.

Marguerite Young Firefly Fairy, Payson, AZ:    This book is a promise made and kept.
   My work was completed as I slept.
   As a butterfly's wings unfold,
   At long last my insect poetry is told.
My story is about my beloved Great Aunt Sybil Kane and her life's work, The Insect Wonderland children's book. I am a retired reading teacher and naturalist and have fond memories of my great aunt telling me stories in a tent in Canada as a child. When she passed away my mother found her manuscript under her bed and made a promise to her to have it published. When I retired in 2004 we worked for a year to have the magnificent artwork and verse published as she would have. When we saw the first copy we realized what a treasure we had! I am so blessed to be able to share The Insect Wonderland with the young at heart of all ages. Please visit our website: www.insectwonderland.com and let me know your thoughts about Sybil's promise. The Insect Wonderland is now available at The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History gift shop!

Marguerite Young
Firefly Fairy and grandniece of author Sybil Kane

Carol, Florence, MS: Three months ago my grandmother passed away. I loved her so much and since the day she was diagnosed with cancer till now I have felt a pain deep down like no other. She was extremely special to me and everyone else she knew. She was an avid member of her church and helped so many people. She was my best friend for so long.

I am not sure why but ever since her funeral I have had this unreal connection to butterflies. No matter where I am in my daily life a butterfly comes to me. It is so random but not coincidental I know! When I'm driving down the road and I see a butterfly I feel like my grandmother is with me. I feel as though she is watching over me and reminding me that she is there. It's a miracle. Those little things in life like a butterfly flying past me can mean so much. I see them everywhere...even if they arent real.

Just the other day I was sitting on the couch with my friend while she was studying. We were chatting of course and I looked over at her paper and she had drawn a butterfly. She had no idea the connection but once again she was there! As crazy as it sounds I was eating lunch on a paper plate one day and I noticed there was a butterfly in the design on the plate. It happens all the time!

I dont know why butterflies are so significant to me and my grandmother. Maybe they are a constant reminder that life is so fragile and everyday is a blessing. And the we should be thankful for every little thing, even the little butterfly that just flyed past us. I still can't accept the fact that she is no longer here. It's an everyday struggle that doesn't seem to get any easier. But that little reminder...those beautiful butterflies I see everyday are a constant reminder that she indeed is here with me. Even if she can't talk to me I feel her when there are butterflies around. They seem peaceful and I know that my grandmother is at peace in heaven. And I thank God for Butterflies!

Klea, Dover, NJ: I am telling a story that happened to a friend and not me. She was small and had a illness. She was in the hospital and she needed blood. The only person available with the same blood as her was her 5 year old brother. So the doctors asked him if he was willing to give blood. He said Yeah if it will save my sister. He was in the medical room smiling. He was scared. They doctors put the needle in and he asked am I going to die right away. He thought that he was going to give all of his blood away to his sister.

Alice Higdon, Irvington, AL: Last year on October 5, 2006, I lost my beloved mother, Hilda, at the age of 76. She was married for 59 years when she lost my father on March 22, 2004. She had 9 children, she lost her baby son when he was 17 years old in 1987. This nearly killed her and my father. But she went on for the rest of the family. She said she had 9 pieces of her heart and one piece was gone. I never really saw happiness in her after that. She had never thought of herself as beautiful.

One time she told me she always thought her children were beautiful and could not understand how she, being so ugly, could have such beautiful children. No more beautiful person has ever walked this earth than my mother. She raised nine children and never complained. Never showed us any pain. Loved God no matter what difficult times came her way. Believe me there were many. She made each of us feel like we were what made her days.

Two weeks before she went to the hospital, worms were eating my passion flower vine. They had ate all the leaves off of it. I went outside one morning and I had cocoons all over my house. The worms had attached themselves everywhere. My mother was in the hospital for one week. On October 2, my father's birthday, she told me my father was sitting at the foot of her bed telling her to come with him. I knew she would not come home to us. She passed away, and the next day funeral arrangements were made and I remember feeling numb all the way through.

After the funeral we came to my house for the gathering. When we pulled up, there were butterflies all over the place. Beautiful ones, large, small, all kinds of colors. But the most dominate color was yellow, my mom's favorite color. I know this was my mother and God's way of telling me he has her in his care. Just as she always was, beautiful as a bright yellow butterfly. What makes this story different? For worms all the time turn into butterflies. I have been in this house for 10 years. Never has this ever happened before. And here it is Sept 18, and still no worms, still leaves are all over my passion flower fine. My mother loved butterflies.She always called our attention to them when they were around her roses.

Donna Blazek, Olmsted Falls, OH: My sister Dreama passed away in 1992 at the young age of 35 from cancer. My mom passed away in 2004 after years of heart problems, and kidney failure. We were at my niece's graduation party when we heard my niece talking about when she seen butterflies she always knows if it is Dreama ( her stepmom) or her grandpa who passed away. She always talks to them "Hi Dream, or "Hi grandpa" whichever she gets the feeling that it is. My sister and I thought that we wished we could see butterflies and get that feeling. Up to that day I had not seen one butterfly all summer and very few the summer before, I know I would have noticed them because they are beautiful.

Anyways I was laying in my pool one day floating and had my eyes closed and was thinking I would like to see my butterfly, I opened my eyes at that moment and seen a medium white butterfly. I got goose bumps and felt awesome. The white butterfly stuck around all summer and flew around my backyard. When we took our pool down I did not see much of it and was bummed. We took our pool down about 4 days ago and everyday since then I have seen many white butterflies driving to work and at work in the break area. That is not it.... I have also seen many baby butterflies this summer. When I see a small butterfly I feel it is my sister because she was young when she passed away.

One day I got in my pool and it looked like a small dead butterfly. I was bummed. I took the butterfly and layed it on the side of the pool. It fell into the sand, it fluttered across the sand and appreared to be really hurt. I picked it up and thought to myself, I am going to save this butterfly. Really not thinking that it had a chance. I layed it on my beach towel, it just sat there. My daughter and I watched it for about 5 minutes. All of a sudden it fluddered its wings and flew away. It was Amazing! A few minutes later it flew happily by me and brushed up against my arm as if to say I am ok. Wow! Medium white butterflies....mom Little butterflies.... Dreama.

My sister also since that day has her own butterfly stories. God is good, and I know he gives us these hopes to keep us going and I know I will see my loved ones in heaven because they were believer's in God. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever shall believeth in me should not perish but have everlasting life."

Rita Martin, Jakarta, INDONESIA: Few weeks ago I dream about butterfly. There is 3 butterfly pink,blue and orange.The very beautyful butterfly. I know that is vision n message from God but until now I do not know clearly what does it mean. Actually until this day I hope God gives us a baby who I have been waiting for 3 yr. I think the pink color of butterfly means God's love for me,the blue one means God's promise and the orange one means fruit from His promise. I do not know.... I'll tell u later what happen to us about butterfly dream.

Shelby Kay Sheets, Kansas City, KS: First of all I was at my grandmas house playing with my dog spark and there it was a butterfly ablue mountain one too. I tried to catch it but then I thought if I catch it will probaly will die and lose its family then my mom came out and said so did you catch the butterfly becuase I was going to come out here and tell you to not catch it and I said why she said becuase they wont be able to fly any more so I thought about it and I was relieved that I didnt catch that poor and inasent creature so now and on I think about that every time I see a butterfly I think about that time and I want to be a role model for my little brother I want to save the butterfly race and this is my story about the blue mountain butterfly I hope you liked it.

Dodie Young, Radford, VA: I am so glad I am not crazy, thanks to my uncle who gave me this website. In July my grandma died, and she was all I had left basically as family. I was sitting outside in my chair and mulling over my misery when a tiny butterfly zipped by my face like a hummingbird, and just kept zipping around me as I was crying. Then it landed on the table beside me and watched me as I cried, then came closer and lighted on my arm. It watched me and tilted it's little head like it understood everything I was crying about and going thru.

Well I fell in love with the little thing and looked forward to seeing it each day when I came home from work. If I didn't get out there quick enough it would fly back and forth by my kitchen window, waiting. As soon as I got outside it would buzz my face and then land next to me and listen to me talk like it understood. It would tilt it's little head so sweetly, and it's little eyes were slightly crooked so it looked so damn cute. It was a hoary edge butterfly as I looked it up on your web sight, and I have never seen anything like it in my region before, so fast and tiny and beautiful. It didn't flutter, it zipped.

Well as it turns out my son thought I was losing my mind and didn't believe me... until about 5 days ago. I hurried to get out to be with my hoary edge baby and he came out to talk to me also. The little thing flew to my arm and stayed as my son talked, he asked me why THEY landed on me like that, and I said THEY DON'T. It's just her. He looked at her in wonder as he had already told me she wouldn't live but 5 days tops and it was already coming on 2 months.....but as soon as he left, so did my little baby, she would fly by my face but wouldn't land on me, she would sit on my table and stare at me and then buzz away. She landed on my finger tips once and stared at me, then left me. I thanked her for showing herself to my son as he didn't believe, and I know that is why she stayed on my arm the whole time he was out there talking to me, but I guess she had to go.

The next day I hurried out there after work to be with her as I had done for over 7 weeks, and I saw her but she wouldn't come to my side, just close enough to say good-bye. I have not seen her since and I feel so empty, it is amazing to feel so much love and so much loss to something you have never seen before and probably never will again.... I feel like I lost my best friend.

Christina M, IL: Growing up, I always had a fascination with nature and animals. It was something that I inherited from my Uncle. When he was young, he used to collect butterflies. One day, he was out with my mother looking for the next addition to his collection and a butterfly came and landed on his hand. How lucky! He didn't even have to go search for one. But the longer he stared at it, the more he realized he couldn't bring himself to harm the little butterfly, so he let it go.

My uncle and I were incredibly close. He used to call me his little princess. He was my father, my brother, my best friend, my role model, and my only stable support system in my life. When I was starting my senior year in high school, things couldn't have been better. I was getting straight As, I was president of the National Honor Society, I had the leads in all the plays and the musicals; My uncle couldn't have been more proud.

But my picture perfect relationship with my uncle was cut much too short. It was a beautiful Sunday morning in fall. I was visiting Northwestern University as a potential school choice for the coming year. As I sat in a session both my mother and I's cell phone kept ringing. After the session, we called the number back. That morning, on October 16, 2005, my uncle took his own life.

In that moment, that split second of shock and harsh realization, my life changed. I was no longer a little princess, I was an adult. That week was the hardest week of my life. I chose his grave, I chose his coffin, I supported his sobbing sister and his mourning mother. I became the support system. And my support system had left me.

Until very recently, every passing week was near impossible to get through without him in my life. On the year anniversary of his death, I got a butterfly tattooed on my back. My pretentious Northwestern friends urged me to change my mind, stating that a butterfly tattoo was incredibly cliché, but I knew the deeper meaning, the irony of the butterfly.

As the two year anniversary of his death draws closer, I have been noticing the consistent appearance of a monarch butterfly. When I walked home from the bus, when I drove home from vacation, when I sat in the front yard, a monarch perched or fluttered near me. I instantly thought of my uncle in all these situations. My most recent encounter was a few days ago; I was sitting around the living room and I started to sing. My uncle loved my singing. As I looked outside, I saw a monarch perch on the leaf of a branch right outside my window and stayed there until I finished singing.

I know that even if my uncle is no longer in this world, every time I see a butterfly, I know he’s fluttering around somewhere, keeping an eye on his little princess.

Zoe, Castro Valley, CA: Once upon a time,there was 500 eggs sitting on the leaf. The caterpillar hatched! It asked his parents if he could see Lucy Ladybug, Beazly Bumblebee, Dive Dragonfly, and Beauty Butterfly. They said yes, but they also said to float from the lake to Insect Park. He is Chatty Caterpillar. He ate a leaf for 2 hours. Lucy Ladybug ate plants. Chatty Caterpillar got fat and went to make a cocoon for 2 hours. He turned to the butterfly and he changed his name to Benjamin Butterfly, but he wants to call him Ben for short, but he likes Benjamin better. He saw 500 eggs. He protected them. Caterpillars will hatch from eggs.Caterpillars did hatch. Benjamin Butterfly played with Lucy Ladybug, Beazly Bumblebee,D ive Dragonfly, and Beauty Butterfly and then told them that he changed his name to Benjamin Butterfly and wanted to call him Ben for short,but he likes Benjamin Butterfly. Then he said bye to his friends, but his friends said bye back to Benjamin Butterfly. Benjamin Butterfly went back home.

Ann, Virginia Beach, VA: Butterfly is her name. She flies to me and reminds me that I am not alone. She reminds me of transition and the ability for one to change. She visits often and when my soul mate is thinking of me. She brought us back together; it was barren when she was gone. My love was away, but she has returned and she is so much more beautiful than I remember. Thanks you butterfly for your beauty, courage, strength, agility, knowing, flight, and for having the patience to become such a glorious creature. Once a mere worm...

Linda, IA: First off I am from a family with 12 living siblings; 6 girls and 6 boys. Our Mother had passed away on Sept. 19, 2006 and Labor Day weekend of that year was the last time most of us got to spend time with her.

This past Labor Day weekend, four daughters and one sister-in-law was out talking in a pathway to the grove at the farm where we grew up reminiscing about our childhood lives. When I noticed 2 monarch butterfies fluttering around. I then told one of my sister "if one is our Momma it will come to us." Lo and behold it did. It landed right above our heads and listened to us as we finished our conversations. The other fluttered around, so in our thoughts we think this was our little brother, who passed away at the age of 19 months from heart problems, was waiting to finish his flight with his mommy now that he is with her in heaven. This was a very special moment for me.

Stephanie Lynch, Charlotte, NC: My dad died - although ill with psorriasis he died much too soon. Dad always said he wanted to live long enough to see my brother play his first game with the Atlanta Braves; he hopes to pitch for them someday. Well he is in 9th grade this year he's a very good pitche,r his chances are very good, but our dad did not make it for that game but he was pitching in a tournament after dad died (1 week after) and the whole time he was pitching a big black butterfly hovered around him. We know that was dad he"ll be there on the day he pitches his first game with the Braves too. Thanks for listening.

Marianne, Guam, USA: We were taught to beleive that that small yellow butterfly could be someone dear to us from their afterdeath. They come in a form of that yellow butterfly to pay us a visit. If you see them around it also means that you might have a visitor, not necessarily someone who died but a freind who is still alive.

The larger brownish ugly butterfly that comes around means that someone in the family or a relative is dying or is very sick.

Same for the fly. If someone died recently, and a fly lands on your arm or keeps flying around almost in an annoying way during their funeral or rosary, it only means that they're visiting you.

Butterflies bring me joy and give me positive energy. I don't always pay any mind to all the stories but somehow I've already experienced the butterflies and flies at those given times.

Reid/Pitre Family, S.S, Marie, ON, CANADA: August/2007 - This month I had the most interesting meeting with a monarch butterfly (it wasn't the first)--My son and I were checking out the new windmills in our city--a butterfly landed on my foot--this had happened before and we cracked because the butterfly wouldn't get off of my shoe--and then it landed on my finger--I passed the bug to my son's finger--it stayed with us for about 2 5 minutes--it wouldn't leave us alone--it almost scared me because it wouldn't leave us alone and wanted to come in our car--well that's my story--the last meeting in our family was when my other son supposedly played with a monarch butterfly--it came back to visit him for a few days and played with him ( my mom and son's story)

Ashley, Westland, MI: I have always had a love of butterflies, lately I have seen one almost everyday. Even from far away they somehow catch my eye. Yesterday I was reading an article that it could be a loved one that has passed and my grandfather passed away a year ago. Yesterday I thought to myself, just show me it's you grandpa. Today I walked up to his house and there in the garden a butterfly flew past me.

Nancy Cunnningham, Cadiz, OH: My husband and I have built a pond in my son's memory. He went to Iraq and we lost him 3 years ago. This past week an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail has been flying around home. When I came home yesterday it was sitting on the concrete drive and my husband said it had been there watching him work in the garage. I stuck my finger out toward it and it hopped on. I could tell it had been around a long time, it's wings ragged around the edges, and it's yellow fading. The ends of it's tail tattered.

I took it over to some of my flowers, and it latched on to a couple and seemed to enjoy them, later when I would check on it, it would always climb eagerly onto my finger. I took it into the house with me and gave it a piece of peach, a little water, and a sprig from the butterfly bush outside with the distinct smell when I broke it of licorice. Before I went to bed I checked on it and when I put out my finger this time, it did not hop on, but just stuck out a small frail leg and tapped my finger a bit. It's curled (tongue?)came out and tasted the peach and then it seemed tired and crouched down by the bowl.

I went to bed, thinking about why it had stayed, and how friendly it was. I awoke to find that it had spread out it's wings one last time so gracefully and was poised on the window ledge as if to fly to heaven with new wings. I have placed it in a safe place on a shelf and revel at the joy the pictures I have of it, as the gift it left me. I have been to 2 butterfly houses and had never seen a yellow swallowtail in either of them, so I was blessed.

Kirsty Sharples, Blackburn, Lancashire, ENGLAND: My mum used to tell us a story about likening elderly people to caterpillars when they become wrinkly and become a cocoon, and when they come to the end of this stage in their life they are 'reincarnated' into a beautiful butterfly.

In 1995 my grandad was in London, as a World War 2 veteran he was celebrating the 50th anniversary of VJ Day. Unbeknown to us at the time, as the poppies were released my grandad began suffering from a heart attack and sadly died. At exaxctly the same time as this happened an 11 year old me was playing with my younger sisters in my bedroom at home hundreds of miles away and several butterflies flew into my bedroom, out of all the rooms in the house they only came into my bedroom and they stayed for a while. We found out the following day that our much loved grandad had passed away. When we went to visit his body in the funeral home there was a dying butterfly just outside his room, we took it home and it died.

Ever since whenever there has been a significant life event e.g. my graduation, funerals, moving in with my partner there always seems to be a butterfly around. I have some tattoed on me so that I am always carrying around the strebgth and love I get from butterflies.

Ed, Boston, MA: Mom passed 8/22/06 and she was buried in a beautiful purple fleece pullover with silver butterflies on it. Oon the afternoon of her funeral Ii was at Crystal Lake and a woman was walking by with a birdcage with butterflies in it (?monarch) . I feel her presence now whenever Ii'm visited by butterflies, i.e. in the garden , etc. which is great as they seem to run to greet me! A lady at the Franciscan guesthouse told me that they are a sign of the Holy Spirit as well. It has been wonderful to hear your stories...God bless

Karen O'Gorman, Yonkers, NY: I had never thought too much about butterflies, until the day of my cousin Tommy's funeral. My cousin died suddenly 2 yrs. ago, this Monday, to be exact.

While walking out of the church, I turned around to see everyone walking, crying. All of a sudden the most beautiful butterfly flew by me. It was the brightest shade of yellow--and it instantly gave me a peaceful feeling. I told no one. Then we got to the cemetery..and there it was again, flying all around us, as the "ceremony" went on. At this point, I told my mother what I had seen.

Later on, as family and friends were sitting in the garage talking about him, my mother pulled me to the side. She showed me a bright yellow butterfly sitting on the edge of his truck, right infront of where everyone was.

To me, this was a sign. A few months later, his brothe came to visit me. He began telling me a story of a beautiful butterfly that sat with him while he visited his brothers grave site. I immediately burst into tears. I only told my mother the story. I got chills, and told him our story. One of my friends said that it is believed that butterflies are spirits.

Whatever the case may be..it gave me a very peaceful feeling when I saw that. Last week, I saw one, and was overcome with emotion. Monday August 20th will be 2 yrs. since he passed away and I am getting my very 1st tattoo-of a yellow butterfly on my ankle.

God bless you and keep you, Thomas Toscani 10/22/70-08/20/05

Adrian Rouse, Virginia Beach, VA: First off I would like to say my faith had been challenged when this tragic incident came about in my life. It made me a beliver. But when I put my trust in God He did not let me down.

It was May 1st 2004 when my fiance/kids father was murdered by someone very close to me. Well it's been so hard raising our 3 kids alone and with little help from his side of the family. But anyhow my days have been consumed with the thoughts of him and how I would raise our children to never forget him and how much he meant to us.

This particular day I had woken up and got me and the kids ready for the day. He had been on my mind all night and yet I still felt his presence when T had awaken. It's been 3 years hes been gone and yet it still feels like Ii can relive that moment everytime I think about it. I often wondered if he was ok and did he reach that safe place with God where he did not have to hurt any more. Even though I felt that the Lord has sent me signs to show he was ok nothing touched me as much as when I had gotten ready to leave out the house one morning and saw the most beautiful butterfly on my door. It had looked as if it had travel wide and far to end up where I lived. I stay upstairs and to get to my house you have to walk up a fight of stairs. Not to mention it was about 99 degrees outside. It seened so unbeliveable pretty. The first thing I thought was "That's Cornell" (That was his name) and then I got this calm feeling come over me and I just wanted cry. I called to the kids and showed them this beautiful creature and had explained to them what I thought to be beliveable. They were awed and so was I. Really this butterfly looked like nothing I've ever seen before.

When we left the house and retunred later that day the butterfly was still there. It stayed there for two days and then it started to show signeds of weakness so I decided to bring it in our home. I hardly ever take things for granted but this one I didn't want to see fade away. It died 3 days later and I still have the beautiful creatue on the mantle. It will for ever remind me of how gracious God can be and makes my faith stronger than ever. This is something I will never forget.

Josette Marie, North Hollywood, CA: I have been going through a lot of changes in every area of my life lately. I guess you can say that I'm experiencing a major transformation of sorts.

I woke up this morning feeling very heavy in my spirit. As if I had a ton of bricks on my chest. By sheer will power, I brewed my coffee, fed the cats etc. I literally felt like a walking dead person. I decided to take my cup of coffee outside to my yard and find inspiration. As I stood there in the sunlight... I was determined to alter this yuky feeling. So, I began saying, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus". It sounded like I was wispering, even though it took all the energy I had just to say those three words.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, fluttering into my yard and flying directly to me was this most beautiful Orange butterly! She fluttered in front of me as if to get my full undivided attention. Which she did! Then my spirit was filled with joy and my smile return to my face and heart. I knew this was God letting me know that He was watching over me and everything was going to be okay! I felt His love and His presence.

This was such a magnificent experience I had to look it up on the internet. I am so happy to have found this website. All of your stories confirm what I felt. Thank you for providing this forum!

Marousa Placiotis, Odessa, FL: We were all in awe of our Chrysalis Kingdom. On our front porch and a into our small butterfly garden, we had counted 16 monarch chyrysalis' ! The small patch of butterfly weed we had planted had grown into a few more patches and overnite it seems, we had monarchs visiting daily. Soon we spotted the larva eating all of our "weed" and then Chrysalis' everywhere! Under the rocking chair, on the house siding, on our tiki torches, hanging off the anitque churn, it was amazing! Then, they began to emerge! We loved watching the monarchs twitter and flutter!

But today, August 13th, 2007, we discovered one of the butterflies on her back with deformed wings near under the porch rocking chair. She didn't survive as her wings never unwrinkled. Another one just like that off the porch in the garden on the same day made us despair. When we discovered a third one that wasn't surviving due to deformed wings we started panicking. Was it the storm the night before? We began to think that our garden was not a good place for the caterpillars to do their metamorphosis magic.

All of a sudden a beautiful Monarch fluttered up to my son Niko, 11, and landed on his neck! He stood frozen as we gazed on the site of this giant butterly ticklin him! He didn't know what to make of it at first, but then he began to giggle! WE all smiled and knew that it was going to be okay. The chrysalis' , the garden, our lives. We would survive the bumps of life because God sends us butterflies!

Cathy Winkler, St. Louis, MO: We found 3 Anise Swallowtail caterpillars in our herb garden eating our Italian parsley!!! We think they are beautiful!!!

Adria Ellerbrock, Denver, CO: July 13, 2007, was one of the hardest days of my life. That was the day that the vet was coming to my house to euthanize both of my 14 year old dogs. As a single 36-year old woman living alone, these dogs were more than just pets, they were my family.

Before the vet arrived, my twin sister, boyfriend, and I sat on the back deck and soaked up the sun while spoiling my babies with a fantastic feast of steak, cookies, and anything their hearts desired. While sitting there, this large yellow butterfly appeared. Although I have a lot of flowers in my back yard, I never saw butterflies. So, I took notice and it calmed me for a moment.

After that horrible day, the butterfly paid visit every now and then. Yesterday, I was looking out the kitchen window sobbing over how lonely I was and how much I missed my babies when the same butterfly flew right by. I immediately felt peace and comfort.

Today, I was having lunch with my good friend on the back deck and I was thinking to myself that I wish the butterfly would pay me another visit, as now I look at it as a sign from my furry friends... Sure enough, it flew right by, landed on some flowers, and hung out for a while before it took flight again. I just smiled when I saw it because it reminded me about the happy times with the dogs and made me feel like they were in a good place.

When my dogs died, another good friend of mine told me to be open to signs from God. I remembered the butterfly that had visited and before I could say anything, she said "especially butterflies." I got goosebumps.

Today I was searching on "signs from God" and I found this Web site. Wow. It reinforces the peace I feel when the butterfly visits and confirms that butterflies truly are special signs, sent to remind us of special souls that touch our lives.

Bob Smith, Mabelville, AR: My Mom passed away in June of 2004. After getting a call from brother about her passing, I went out to our patio to weep and be alone. All of a sudden a Black Swallowtail butterfly appeared. It stayed with me for several minutes. I called it Mom, because I just knew it was. Well for 3 years now this butterfly makes several visits weekly to our patio. What a feeling of joy I get when "she" appears. I feel so comforted.

Gary Skillings, Peterborough, NH: Hi There,
My friend and his wife were at a blue grass festival, with me in Cornish Maine, just a few days ago. Well my friend's wife started to tell a story about a friend of Jerry's, who was an entertainer, singer, and guitar player, that Jerry and his wife were real close to. She was telling the story of how the entertainer almost died in Jerry's arms before.

Both Jerry, amd his wife apparently loved the gentlemen dearly. I saw the look on Jerry's face when his wife Marion was telling the story he had the look of a broken hearted man who missed his friend dearly, when all of a sudden a black and yellow spotted beautiful looking butterfly appeared out of no where and landed on Jerry's hand and spread his wing and stayed there a moment then edged his way up to his wrist and then jumped onto his knee. I said has that ever happened to you? and he replied no and I said that was a sign from God letting you know he is well taken care of and that he is free as a butterfly in heaven.

Not only did he fly onto to Jerry, but then he flew onto Jerry's van for a moment then he flew onto his camper as to say you are blessed my friend don't worry about me and flew off. My self and Jerry, and his wife marion, are very spiritual people we all know now that it was a sign from God. I was shocked because I had never seen this, but now have seen one of God's many signs. I have heard that it means something when a butterfly lands on you and decided to look it up online. I knew in my heart all along weather finding it on the net or not that it was with out a doubt a sign from God reasuring us that our loved ones are at peace living for eternal with the father until we too are called to rest with the Father. Jerry is my best friend now and has been for a long time. With love and honor, God Bless, Your friend Gary

Bryesha Fowlkes, Philadelphia, PA: I recently had so many deaths in the past few years, but this one particular death was an old boyfriend of mine. His name was Sean May. He was gunend down May 15,2007. Following weeks later Butterflies started to swarm around me landed on my car in front of my property. I even went up to one of the butterflies and touched it for a very long time. Butterflies usually fly away from you but the white butterfly let me touch it's wings. They swormed me so much my son started to often notice them too. I use to ask him to let me know that he is alright and I guess this was his way of letting me know.

Just the other day was his birthday 07/23/2007. On 07/22/2007 the day before me and my son were driving somewhere and my son pointed in the sky and said mom look a rainbow. I looked up and lo and behold there was a rainbow in the sky. Last but not least, I believe in getting signs from the after life because he keeps on surrounding me ever chance he get have faith.

Melanee Simpson Ulle, Painesville, OH: After my husband Ludwig passed away unexpectedly from a massive heart attack I noticed a white butterfly in the garden... everywhere I went a white butterfly would show up.. on the way to work.. outside the grocery store.. I couldn't understand it.. and always when I would come home there one would be in the patio garden... my daughter Kathleen is the one that made the connection on a visit... Mom.. it's Lud... he picked the white butterfly because that is what you stenciled on the peach walls in his bathroom. Since he saw them every morning he figured you would know it was him... he's still with me.. especially when I going through upset.. there's the white butterfly ..he also likes to turn lights on and off after I've left the room so I have to come back..

Sohaib Shahid, Woodbridge, Manassas, VA: Today I saw something that I have never seen in my life! The only reason I am telling you people my story is because if something happens to me and the same thing that happened to me happens to you then reading this might help you, at least somebody will have some kind of warning or sign.

Some people say that death comes while giving signs of its arrival, today I was standing outside my house playing with my cat. After like 2 or 3 minutes a butterfly came right next to me and died, I tried to wake it up but it was no use. I can't explain what kind of butterfly it was. After it had died, I held it in my hand and took a picture of its beautiful wings and after doing that I buried it. When burying it I felt a kind of weird feeling that I can't even explain but it felt like something was going to happen to me at that time.

That very same day after sunset I took my dog with me outside for a while. When my dog went behind a bush I started hearing unusual and weird noises and again that very same feeling that I had earlier happened again, even now while I'm typing this message, I keep hearing the same noises! God only knows what's gonna happen to me next! Who ever reads this ....do not take this as a joke! Everything that I have told you in this story is true and should not be ignored.

Blaine Nesbit, Bellingham, WA: On a dark and rainy night in the Northwest I was walking alone on a alley way. My love had just dumped me for another man, I w as heartbroken. I didnt know where to go. The river? The woods? I had lived with her for 3 years in a small apartment we bought together, with the intention to get married soon. As I trodded on through the ever deepening puddles I felt the water splash against my barefeet and up to my bare shins. The only clothing I grabbed from my exit from our apartment was some running shorts that didnt even reach my knees. The rain felt like many small pins, jabbing at my heart as I wept and I wept. There was no hope left for me, almost naked, in an alleyway with nowhere or no one to go to.

And then, as I looked up into the sky and started to shout at the top of my lungs at God and ask him why would this happen, a miraculous miracle took place. Out of my fully ajar, screaming mouth floated a glowing blue monarch butterfly. Did this butterfly really just come out of my sinful mouth? Or did it float up next to my weary body? I will never know. The butterfly spiraled upwards towards the heavens for roughly ten glorious feet. I stopped yelling, and I observed the insect float upwards, doing what I wish I could do. The animal's small wings flapped many times, up, up he went. Then he started to float down, towards me. On the descent he had no need to flap. He let gravity slowly bring him down towards me, like a precious, delicate leaf in the wind. The butterfly fell in a spiraling pattern, much how like he went up. He landed on my shoulder, and then, at the exact moment in time as the landing, I swore I could hear a voice saying "don;t worry, she wasnt the one, get some clothes on." The rain ceased. the sun came out. The butterfly flew away vibrantly into a newly formed rainbow. Oh, how the butterfly flew. How the butterfly flew.

Pamela, Scottsdale, AZ: My mother was my best friend and a very special lady. She had been ill for a long time. One day I asked her if she would come back and see me as a butterfly after she went to heaven. She grinned and said yes. I could tell she thought I was crazy and was just saying yes to humor me. Later that evening she was complaining that her back and shoulders were hurting. I asked her if she was sprouting her "butterfly" wings and we both laughed.

About an hour after she passed away, my husband and I were standing at the back door and I told him that story. Just as I finished telling him, a butterfly flew up to the window. We ran outside and the butterfly flew all around us, in between us and then landed on the ground next to us for a few minutes and then flew away. I was at peace. I knew she was okay.

Helen Culleeny, NY: A few days ago I was sitting in my yard, a black, orange and white butterfly came and sat on my knee. It stayed for a little while and than came back and sat on my arm for awhile, this went on for 45 minutes. I don't think it was as large as a monarch, just slightly smaller. I'm 82 years old, a widow and my first thought was the good Lord sent one of his angels to tell me it's time to come home. This has happened four times since then.

This sounds so unreal but yesterday I had laundry on the line and there it was on my slacks. As I started to take the laundry off the line, it went and sat on the edge of the basket and just stayed there. I took my finger and put it by its leg and it came onto my finger. I'm almost afraid to tell you but I did talk to it. I have never in my whole life had such an experience like this

Shara Anderson, Fort Smith, AR: I was in love with a boy named James. We did everything together. One day he awoke feeling odd. After a while, things became worse, so we went to the doctor. After many tests, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was giving six months to live. We were both shocked, but managed to smile.

One day we were exploring the woods near a place we met at on the stroke of midnight. We were teenagers, and we were not allowed to see each other, so we kept our relationship a secret. Well one night in the woods, we came upon a beautiful waterfall. We met at this waterfall almost every night. Our six months passed quickly, and we didn't expect for him to live much longer. On his last night, we were laying together in the soft sand as the mist from the waterfall lured s mall fish to the surface of the water. I gazed at the stars for the last time in his arms. I felt him take one breath, and then another, and then no more. I knew he had died, and the memories of us flooded back. He had always told me, "You are my butterfly."

About a week after he had passed, I was sitting in the sand, and just thinking about us. I remember thinking, "If only I could know that he still loves me..." and just after I had thought that, a beautiful rare butterfly flew to me. It landed softly on my head, and I could have sworn that I heard the fluttering of wings. I lookup up, only to see dozens of beautiful butterflies flocking to the trees around me, and I knew just then that he was still with me.

Inspirational Stories

Stories Contributed by Our Visitors: July 2007 to December 2007 (Newest Items at Top of List)

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Stories Contributed by Our Visitors:
July 2007 to December 2007
(Newest Items at Top of List)