It is fall. A nice time to be outside.

Debbie was in the backyard cooking our supper on the grill. Grilling may be the husband’s job in most households but we like the food to be edible when it’s done, so Debbie usually handles this chore. I was riding around on my lawnmower.

Debbie motioned for me.

I went over to the grill. She pointed up at the tree behind her, the one she was facing while doing her cooking.

There were butterflies all over it. Hundreds of them. They were flying all around that tree. We didn’t see them anywhere else, just that tree in front of Debbie.

We’ve never seen this happen before.

A lot of people and bereaved parent support groups use butterflies as symbols. They represent the idea of leaving the old body behind and being reborn into the spirit world.

Could these butterflies have been a sign from Richard?

I don’t know. Until recent events, I’ve never thought about this stuff.

I know we’ve never seen a big invasion of butterflies before. We didn’t see them anywhere but right there on that tree in front of us. Like they were giving us a show, or sending us a message.

As the sun set they covered that tree.

In the morning they were gone.

A sign?