Saturday, March 14, 2009

Jennifer's "Living" Memorial

Five years ago on May 18th, my daughter Jennifer passed. She was a gentle, generous, loving mother, daughter, wife and avid butterfly gardener among other things.


I have been trying to think of an appropriate way to memoralize her and it came to me in the form of the butterflies now migrating north from the sanctuaries of Mexico through my garden.

Jennifer loved gardening and her calling card said "Butterlfy Gardener". She and her little son Christopher watched in awe and amazement every time a butterfly hatched off the host plants, as seen in the first photo. The second photo shows Jen covering the "host" plants with netting so the crysalis could change from catepillars to butterflies.


Instead of a bench or tree or plaque in one place, it seems to me that anyone who would want to go to a nursery and buy a plant to feed or host butterflies would be keeping her memory alive all over the USA and Mexico. A "Living" tribute. Hopefully, watching the plant and butterflies thrive would bring the same awe and amazement to you that was experienced by Jennifer and Christopher.


There is a website called www.thebutterflysite.com that lists many plants or you can go to your local nursery where someone can make suggestions.


Planting these plants soon would significantly help the migration of these amazing creatures.


Christopher is now ten years old and we talk each time we are together about his butterfly experiences with his Mom. I think it has left an imprint on him for the rest of his life.


The indigenous peoples of Mexico believe that the returning butterflies in October are the return of the departed souls - all the more touching to those of us who are left behind.


To my Blogger friends: The above is being emailed to those people who have played a major part in the life of Jennifer and our family. I wanted to share it with all of you because, without knowing it, you have played an important role in my life for the last few years.........


6 comments:

picklesandroses.blogspot.com said...

Barb, my butterfly bush was stripped clean by the adorable yellow and black striped caterpillars and is finally put out some little green shoots. Last year we found a chrysalis or two but nada this year. I don't know where they all went. And I think of Jennifer every time I look.

Michael Dickson said...

Those photos look like a Texas back yard to me, as I remember them.

We get butterflies around our Ranchito quite often, and now I know what I´ll think when I see each one. I wish you well.

ccinha said...

My 19 year old nephew died in a house fire 12 years ago. Everyone called him "B" (the first letter of his name)during his lifetime, and we continue to refer to him as B. Naturally, when we she butterflies and/or bees are in the garden, we are especially reminded of him, and we feel a special closeness at those times. Indeed Jennifer's memorial will too live on.

Anonymous said...

What a great memorial. I will think of this everytime I see a butterfly.

Anonymous said...

Dear Barb, what a truly beautiful memorial for your Jennifer. I am sure she is looking down from Heaven with a smile on her face. She will forever live on inside of you and her precious son. The next time I see a butterfly in good ole Houston, Texas, I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers and you as well. I am sure you were a wonderful mother as she was a beautiful daughter to you. Keep a smile on your face and love in your heart...

A friend in Texas!!

Babs said...

Thanks to all of you for your touching thoughts and comments.