I’ve had some wonderful conversations with butterflies.
There was the time we took the tele-cabin from Grimentz to Bendolla and went for a walk in the mountains on a hot summer’s day.
A butterfly alighted on my hand and stayed for at least five minutes, exploring and obviously finding something of interest to consume.
There was the time on the Greek island of Zakynthos when we went for an early swim and walked along the sandy beach.
As we reached the end, a beautiful swallowtail butterfly danced around us and then alighted on my collar, where it seemed perfectly happy to stay.
We ate breakfast on the terrace of a taverna just above the beach and during the whole time, the butterfly didn’t budge.
Eventually, about an hour later and well after we’d finished eating, it took off again as if refreshed after a snooze.
* * * * *
This week, I was at the lake for a swim and when I came out, an orange comma alighted on my purple backpack and seemed to fall in love with it.
I sat down beside it so I could study it more closely.
I was even able to encourage it on to my finger a couple of times as I wanted to get at something in the backpack.
It’s pretty amusing when they wander over your hand and arm producing a gently tickling sensation as they explore the new territory and even seem to find food on it.
And while I sat there another small blue butterfly arrived and stopped on the sand at my feet.
But what struck me as I played with this very beautiful creature for over half an hour is that really there is nothing more valuable in life than this.
Being in the moment.
Contemplating and conversing with a thing of beauty and wonderment.
A small angel.
What more could one want?
And it’s completely free.
Money has nothing to do with it.
A moment of complete pleasure where the ego has no place.
A moment to be thankful for.
May your life never become an endurance test!
Love
Richard
