9/11 butterflies

· by

Screen Shot 2013-09-13 at 7.51.12 AM

Scott would get a kick out of this: Call me crazy but what do the two bars at the end of this graph resemble? They represent the amount of viewer hits this blog received on 9/11 and the next day. Until this year “9/11” has had a rather different significance and this graph reminds me of the World Trade Towers. Both days this blog received an equal amount of viewer hits (1310 on Wednesday and Thursday) and that is why the bars are so perfectly aligned.  9/11 will never be forgotten. It’s oddly apt that Scott chose a day of fallen heroes to leave us. Please forgive me as I search for meaning anywhere and everywhere. Synchromystic moments. . .

SDM15.600dpi

Butterflies © Scott Morgan 2013

In the days leading up to Wednesday Scott and I frequently brought up the idea of flying. His counselor had suggested that he do some visualization techniques to reduce his anxiety and pain. Knowing Scott had such a vivid imagination and a hunger to be free of his bedridden body, I gently reminded him that he remember we can fly. Like Peter Pan. Like shooting stars. Like butterflies! See your painting of butterflies on the wall right by your bed, Scott? Close your eyes and step into the painting and see what happens. I can fly! Yep.

Within minutes of Scott’s death I opened the glass door to the patio next to his bed so his spirit could get out of the room he had been confined to for so long. I focused on the painting shown here that hung nearby on the wall. I shouted out Scott! Remember your butterflies! You can FLY! No sooner did I say this than a HUGE butterfly–I think it was black color–flew directly across the windows as I looked out the open door. Within a short while I was sitting out on a bench by the beach overlooking the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea just outside our hotel. From this perch I made the phone calls to Scott’s family. His sister was the first to receive the news from me that our beloved was no longer with us. Or was he? A bright yellow butterfly flew past me at the exact time I told Lindy about the earlier butterfly story! A little while later when I told Scott’s mother the same thing happened, only this time the butterfly was orange (Scott’s and my shared favorite color). I was going through many mood swings by the time I talked with Scott’s brother Robert and I can’t remember if any butteflies appeared then. But when I spoke with his father, a gigantic swarm of a hundred or more large darning needle dragonflies gathered immediately in front of me, spiralling into a vortex right over the ocean the entire time we were talking. . . and then poof  they were gone once I lost the connection to Dad.

But wait. There’s more. One more butterfly appeared that morning. My younger brother and I were on the phone. I was sitting outside the room on the patio. Matt always felt close to Scott. During an emotional moment I recalled that Scott had woken up from a dream over the last weekend. I asked Scott where were you just now? He replied, I was with Matt. My brother Matt? Yes. In retelling this anecdote to my brother my head was down. A black butterfly flew directly at me swooped up under my chin and up the building to the sky. I laughed. Scott was just here. Scott is still here. WE CAN FLY!!!

PS: Thank you for the overwhelming outpouring of love and sympathy coming my way from family, friends, facebook and this blog during this lonely time. The room is so quiet. My heart is so loud. I will be home soon.

41 thoughts on “9/11 butterflies”

  1. Dear Katy,

    What to say? I don’t know you but I know you and must say how much I admire your spirit and your spunk. You have participated in an extraordinary journey.

    Robert and I are now in Italy, a place Scott loved and one we talked about often. I will always think of Scott when I see a butterfly. Truly he now is free. It is now time for you to take care of yourself and heal.

    Nancy

    Sent from my iPhone

    Like

    Reply

  2. Katy, beautiful words as always and wonderful to think that Scott was helping you and with you in spirit at those exact moments which must have been really
    difficult.

    Whenever I see a rose I think of Scott and you. Take care Katy and hugs to you x

    Like

    Reply

  4. Dear Katy….this is a fabulous story and it makes me think that the story isn’t over, it’s just beginning. You and Scott created together another phase to his journey through life and anyone who knew Scott knows the man took some trips! After reading this wonderful passage I realize it’s still going on and that should put a smile on all of our faces. It did for me…..love R I Z

    Dan Rizzie Sent from my iPad Please excuse typos

    Like

    Reply

  5. Wow Katy, I am supposed to be getting ready for the market but I had to read your post and now I feel as though I am in your story, so beautifully told. You openness to nature and the divine will undoubtedly set you up for many more such experiences in the coming days,months and years. I am so happy for you and my hear too, is audible in this moment. Love you Sweetie!

    Like

    Reply

  6. Dearest Katy, We just came back and found your eulogy on Scott’s passing. It was beautiful and we will all miss him and his crazy, wild ways. We are all thankful that we knew him and that he not only left the memories, but his paintings will live on. Hang in and let us know when you will be home. Love, Myrna

    Like

    Reply

  8. Lovely post, Katy. Whenever we see ladybugs we know it is my father’s spirit keeping watch over us

    Andy Thornton LaDIFFERENCE International Furnishings 125 South 14th Street Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 648-6210 (804) 648-1409 Fax athornton@ladiff.com http://www.ladiff.com “Located in the heart of Richmond’s Shockoe Design District”

    Like

    Reply

  10. Pingback: butterflies are free | going to goa

  11. Pingback: homecoming | going to goa

  12. Pingback: the river of life | going to goa

  13. Pingback: a remembrance | going to goa

  14. Pingback: 3 months later | going to goa

  15. Pingback: facebook afterlife | going to goa

  16. Pingback: life goes on | going to goa

  17. Pingback: butterfly artistry | going to goa

  18. Pingback: dream within a dream | going to goa

  19. Pingback: in the eyes of lovers | going to goa

  20. Pingback: chakras wide open | going to goa

  21. Pingback: dog & butterfly | going to goa

  22. Pingback: one more i love you | going to goa

  23. Pingback: butterfly kisses | going to goa

  24. Pingback: fun | going to goa

  25. Pingback: cleveland | going to goa

  26. Pingback: signs, signs, everywhere are signs | going to goa

  27. Pingback: somebody to love | going to goa

  28. Pingback: dreams of the last butterflies | going to goa

  30. Pingback: siblings | going to goa

  31. Pingback: emergence | going to goa

Leave a reply to katy Cancel reply