A butterfly is a beautiful symbol of impossible transformations made possible. My mother grew wings while spending her last days on Earth in the “Butterflies Are Free” unit in hospice. I watched as Mom grew weaker and weaker, slowly sliding into a coma cocoon that fate proclaimed she would soon pop out of and take flight.
WHAT DOES YOUR LIFE STAND FOR?
Mom quietly had me record this final message from Grandma to her granddaughters. I grabbed my laptop and typed away, as I sat sadly beside Mom’s bed, listening with all my will to her faint words. (Mom was the one who made me SO mad in high school, because she made me take typing class, and now I type like the wind.)
This is what Mom wanted my three daughters to know about what Grandma O’Grady’s life stood for.
I hope I’ve told you often enough how much I appreciate and love you. I’m so happy that you came into my life. I can’t believe how lucky I am, and how lovely you are. I’m just so lucky. I was so lucky…lucky…lucky that God blessed me to have you in my life. I’m so grateful that you are a part of my life. You’ll be all right, I think. You’ll be all right if you just go your happy way and live your own life. You just have to find your own way. Find your own path, that’s what I did. I always tried to be good. I wanted to be kind and honest with people. I wanted to honor the people I met. I wanted to try to give the extra-loving measure. There’s enough criticism around…I just wanted to be kind and decent. I wanted to be honest and decent, not hateful and mean. I wanted to live a single purpose of love. I just wanted to be kind to everybody.
BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE
Mom and I stayed together on the “Butterflies are Free” unit at the Life Care Center of Sarasota. The Florida wind howled that night Mom passed over. Some spiritual traditions say the winds announce to the world that a much beloved soul—who has been able to live a life of love—is being heralded by the Heavens.
I know that to be so.
WHO IS DENNIS O’GRADY
Dennis E. O’Grady, Psy.D., is the author of Talk to Me: Communication Moves To Get Along With Anyone. Talk to Me is dedicated to Elizabeth Merrill O’Grady. Dennis is a loving son, brother, husband and father, who believes now that “Death is Gentle.” Dr. O’Grady can be reached at www.drogrady.com.