After the storm

There once was a terrible and devastating storm. So much was lost. And some felt like they had lost all they had. In particular, there were two young people who were caught up in the storm and both lost something dear. And then things begin to change...

The man saw a butterfly fluttering around flowers he had not noticed before. He wanted to keep the butterfly, but she eluded him each time. And then she landed on his shoulder and told the man to go and search for a little bird. One who is free and full of life. So he searched until he found the bird. She was a beautiful bird, full of energy, strong on her own and always had a song to sing to the man.

 The woman saw a leaf laying on the ground. A big and beautiful leaf. It was not like any she had ever seen. She wanted to keep him with her, but the wind caused him to fly and flutter each time she tried to catch him. And then he landed on her shoulder and told the woman to go and search for a tree. One that is strong and sways in the wind. So she searched until she found the tree. He was tall and strong. He had good roots but was able to sway in the wind and keep her safe.

This man, he was that tree. This woman, she was that bird. And together they came. The bird built her nest in the tree and the tree swayed to the songs she sang. They missed the butterfly and the big leaf when they left. But sometimes they still fluttered by and it made them smile.

 -- With love to Maureen