It's been several years now since this happened but I share it as such an example of their being no limits to what is possible when boundaries to communication between species is opened wide. I was out kayaking in the ocean on a coldish day and I saw what looked like a drowned butterfly floating on the water. I plucked him out of the water and put him next to my body, not knowing if he was dead or alive. I paddled home and by now he was reviving from being close to body heat. I kept him overnight (grew quite fond of him and named him "Blake") and even brought him breakfast in bed the next morning (had to find a blossom). He seemed fine so I released him and he flew off. About four hours later, I was walking on the beach in a stiff wind,. One of the things that made what happened next unusual is that in general, on a cold and windy day, you will not see butterflies because, well, because it is cold and windy. Nonetheless, a butterfly landed on my shoulder and stayed there, in spite of the wind, for about 20 minutes. I passed a man walking on the beach, and just to make sure I was not imagining, I asked him if there was a butterfly tucked next to my neck. He looked and said there was. I have no doubt it was Blake returning to say thank you. Once I got away from the stiffer wind of the beach and was heading home, Blake took off.
Nothing in me doubts that there was a true communion going on. I have many stories like this, which I will be sharing because I know how important it is that our hearts learn to open and meld with all critters, no matter what form they take, and that when we do open in such a way, the most improbable things happen. It's not just that I am 'an animal lover.' I am a lover of humans becoming all we can be, and until and unless we re-join our connections with the natural world, of which we are very much a part, we will suffer limitation. The veil between all parts of nature and humans is thinner than ever for those ready to become St. Francis of Assissi's in training. There is so much joy to be had in these connections.
Nothing in me doubts that there was a true communion going on. I have many stories like this, which I will be sharing because I know how important it is that our hearts learn to open and meld with all critters, no matter what form they take, and that when we do open in such a way, the most improbable things happen. It's not just that I am 'an animal lover.' I am a lover of humans becoming all we can be, and until and unless we re-join our connections with the natural world, of which we are very much a part, we will suffer limitation. The veil between all parts of nature and humans is thinner than ever for those ready to become St. Francis of Assissi's in training. There is so much joy to be had in these connections.
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