Dawn's Notes
Butterflies Flittin’ and Dancin’ - April 2019
by Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW
Two small yellow butterflies—flittin’ and dancin’. A joyous sight to watch—a bonus for my backyard sittin’.
One day last summer I watched the butterflies for several minutes as they joined in the air about six inches apart, twirling around each other, one direction then another, up and down as they danced. They changed locations. They danced over the flower bed, over the lawn, and then over the alley.
As if on cue, they separated and went their own ways, one to a rose bush and the other to a yellow lily. Then, as if on signal, they spontaneously resumed their dance in the air, twirling and swirling.
Then again the two yellow butterflies went back to their business—eating, gathering, and sampling a purple butterfly bush’s blossoms and pink hollyhocks—tasting a variety of flavors.
The behavior was magical to watch, and I speculated on what their dance meant.
I first wondered if they were dancing a dance of anger, yet there seemed to be no animosity toward each other as they danced. So I quickly decided they were not angry.
Then I wondered if I was observing a courtship ritual. Maybe they were a male and female. If they were a couple, I decided they were enjoying each other’s company.
Or maybe they were just two friends out for a little fun along with their “work” in our backyard. After all, the morning temperature was moderate, the breeze was gentle, and there was nectar in the flowers all around them.
My final thoughts were that, whatever their situation, the butterflies were having some fun mixed into their daily tasks. There was work to do. There was nectar to taste; they must eat to stay alive. But having fun seemed to be important as well.
There was joy to be found in the company of another butterfly. There was joy in flitting, twirling, and dancing in appreciation of the simple things of life—things such as food, air, peace, quiet, and safety.
Butterflies are not the only things that Mother Nature brings us in the spring and summer months. Baby animals are born. Birds return. They sing songs and build nests in anticipation of new babies. Geese honk as they retrace their flight routes to the north to lay eggs and rear baby geese.
During early spring, trees show a tinge of spring-green color. Buttercups bloom, revealing their bright yellow color, and tulips show off a variety of colors. By mid-April monarch butterflies return to Kansas, and before long, hydrangeas and roses bloom, adding additional colors to yards and flower gardens.
After a loss it may be hard to get excited about spring time. I remember how I felt the first spring after my husband died. But if you take time to pause and look around, you will be reminded that spring is the time for rebirth, a continuation of the cycle of life.
So if it is still a bit chilly, grab a jacket and head outside for a little while. You may be surprised with what you see, hear, or feel—flowers blooming; birds singing, a gentle breeze rustling in the trees.
Nature can be healing if you take time to look around. You might even see some butterflies flittin’ and dancin’ as they celebrate the return of spring.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life; it goes on.” - Robert Frost
Call about the next "Living Life after Loss" Group at:
Meadowlark Hospice
709 Liberty, Clay Center, Kansas
(785) 632-2225
Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW, Group Facilitator