Butterfly Kisses

A month has now gone by since the departure of my dear Aunt Mabel.  Days have been filled with the usual activities of my world. . .exercise, yard work, music, reading, and trying to stay abreast of the housework, laundry, and cooking.   I'm very thankful for my husband who has stepped up to the plate to help on days I just haven't felt like doing them.  The thing missing from my world has been the visits with Mabel which blessed my life beyond measure.

Her youngest daughter, who is a year older than me, has been here taking on the task of sorting through her mother's things, and making the decisions as to what will be their final fate.  Children and grandchildren had the first chance to take things which were special to them.  From there on, things were sorted to be given to various extended family members, or set aside to be disposed of in a number of ways.  Some went to a second hand store in a neighboring community.  A large stash of fabric was delivered to a group of women known as the "Pack Rats".  They are a thrifty and talented group who sew quilts, blankets, and other items for those in need.  Other items have been set aside to be part of a community auction sale next month.  And, alas, some simply filled the dumpster in the alley.

As I did what I could to help, I found myself often singing the words to a song.  It is one which was sung for Mabel at one of her "milestone birthdays", and has a fitting message.  The song is entitled "Find Us Faithful," and was made popular by Steve Green.

We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

 Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

 After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

 Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
 Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

 

Steve Green "Find Us Faithful" [Click to hear song]

 

Yesterday I found myself once again walking to Mabel's house.  My heart longed for another visit with her, and I felt perhaps a chat with her daughter would help.  Alas, she wasn't home.  As I looked around the now near empty house, I found myself tearing up.  No longer would there be times spent rocking in the chair opposite Mabel's, unloading whatever happened to spill out in search of her wisdom.  As I made my way to the door, my eye spotted a card covered with butterflies.  The message seemed to be just what I needed to hear:  "Gently as a butterfly, may happiness touch your heart today."  It was one I had given Mabel years ago, which her daughter was planning on returning to me. 

 

Just outside the door, I paused on the steps to glance around at her flower beds, now finding their rest at the end of the summer season.  Suddenly, a glimpse of color caught my eye.  A beautiful butterfly flew nearby and seemed to send the message my dear Mabel was not far away.  Somewhere in the back of my mind came a voice spoken with love, "I'll always be here, cheering you on, until the day I welcome you to your heavenly home!"  It was a message I needed to hear, and I'm thankful for a God who sent it just when I needed it most.