Butterflys Are Free To Fly...

I have to relate a very interesting, and for me, heart warming experience I had on Mt Hedgehog earlier this year. As many of you know, the trail on the backside can be difficult to follow at times. For this story you should also know that my mother, who passed away in November of last year, was very fond of butterflies.

In heading down the mountain, I got confused and headed off trail on three separate occasions. After the first time, this incredible feeling of love and safety overwhelmed me. It felt how I remember when I was little and frightened and being held by my mother. Right at that point, a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly started flying around my head, as if trying to get my attention. It circled me for about a minute and then flew off in a particular direction. I asked it if it were my mom come back to help me but she didn't answer me.  

Well, since I was off trail, I decided to follow this butterfly and wouldn't you know it, it led me right back to the trail. It flew around me several more times and then flew off on its way again. I thanked the butterfly for her assistance and continued on.

Well, I got off track two other times on this hike. Each time, I found a butterfly flying around me and it led me back to the trail. After the third time, I began thinking that someone was looking out for me.

When my mom passed, everyone told me she would give me a sign. Every day I since her death, I have looked for that. Each day I never saw a sign, I felt cheated, even though I didn't really believe in that. Was this butterfly my mom come back to lead me to safety? I don't know, but having it happen three times was a bit emotional for me. The best part was even at the end of the hike, as I was removing my boots, a butterfly came over, flew around my car several times as if to make sure I was safe and then flew away.

With my mom's death merely 6 months before this hike, this was such an emotional experience that I had to sit in the car for 10 minutes just to get my composure back. I will NEVER look at butterflies in the same way again!

  

Short video of my hike