A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH BUTTERFLIES ON SANIBEL ISLAND (from The Twelve Gifts from the Garden)

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

It’s the first day of my first solitary stay on Sanibel Island. I’m here for a vacation but also to do some writing. I’m not relaxed. Not yet. Like the average person, it usually takes three or four days for me to release muscle and mind tensions and shift into a vacation state of mind.

I decide to do something new this morning, at least different, something I have not done for years - ride a bicycle. It’s not a daring adventure. Nevertheless, I feel an uplift at the prospect of coasting along the smooth, flat bike paths. So, instead of taking a beach walk or a dip in the pool, I head to the rack where bikes are available for rental.

Striding purposefully in that direction, I’m almost oblivious to my beautiful surroundings until a fluttering black butterfly appears in front of me. When she circles my head in what seems like an invitation to play, I laugh out loud. The garden suddenly looks lighter. My vision sharpens, and my awareness widens. I’m seeing the many shades of green, the bright pops of reds, and all the floral colors I always appreciate here. I’m smelling…mmm. Gardenias. My dad’s favorite flower.

With the help of Black Butterfly, I’ve been transported to another state of mind. I’m in the present moment.

That butterfly is still with me. Or rather, I’m with her as she moves along. She leads and I follow. Ahead I see a cloud of wings like hers flitting around a huge bush. I think it’s Lantana; I don’t know for sure. But I do know that I’ve never seen so many butterflies in one place. There must be 20 or 30 of them! Maybe more. I try to count them, but with all their movement, I can’t keep the ones counted separate from the ones to-be counted. So I give up counting and just watch.

Carefully, I step into their cloud. I stand still. I barely breathe. They don’t disperse. They are so close that I am able to see luminous blue swatches on their black wings. I watch their fluttering, humbled, amazed that they stay so near for so long. I’m grateful. In awe.

The butterflies begin to disperse. A few remain. I linger for several moments. I’m reluctant to leave this spot which now feels magical.

My mood has shifted. My breathing has deepened. I’m relaxed. I choose to stay in the garden today, hoping to prolong this experience of wonder.

The reflection above is a reprint from The Twelve Gifts from the Garden: Life Lessons for Peace and Well-Being, winner of the Eric Hoffer Award for spiritual books. The butterfly encounter I described is one of many profound and sacred experiences I had in the garden at Sanibel Moorings - and on Sanibel Island in general. I’m grateful for all such experiences and I thank Mango Publishing for having the insight and good judgment to publish this book about them. My gratitude is exponentially multiplied now that this lush garden no longer exists, not as it was, not with its rich diversity of native and exotic species. Hurricane Ian, with its 155 mph winds and storm surge of up to 12 feet, destroyed many homes and businesses and severely damaged the island’s ecosystem. Freshwater ponds are now salt water. Much of the island is still covered with a layer of sand. The botanical garden at Sanibel Moorings will return, someday. Some hardy native plants are already re-emerging, demonstrating their will to survive. Nature’s strength is one of the life lessons that are offered to us in this inspiring book. Nature also shows us her beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith. To learn more about The Twelve Gifts, this book, and to order a copy, see “BOOKS” on this website. You may also wish to receive a daily inspirational message by email each morning. It’s free and you can cancel it any time. Sign up for that here too.

Thank you! May you recognize your own gifts and help others to see theirs!

With love,
Charlene