Thursday, June 05, 2008

Silvery Checkerspot

I went to a funeral today.
My sister's ex-Mother-in-law passed away.
My sister wanted to go to the funeral.
She called her, "Mom".
I did not want my sister to go alone.


My brother did not want my sister and I driving alone so he took us to the funeral.
We visited and had lunch at the family's home afterwards.

I took pictures of the Silvery Checkerspot that danced in the yard.

I had never seen one.

I have been thinking about family lately.
Who we call sister and brother.
Who we are nurtured by.

My brother shared his sandwich with the family's Black cat.
My brother is a fine man.
He wanted to see my bees in the bee box.
He was interested.

I can always find beauty....I sometimes find family.
Today I spent time with my family.
Today my sister and brother and I cared for each other.
It is what we do .
We are family.

16 comments:

Shelley said...

Lovely reminder of family. (Thank you for pointing me to this blog!)

Q said...

Dear Shellmo,
Thank you.
Sometimes it is not convient to be there for a family member... but it is what I do.
I find when I do so a gift presents itself. The Silver Checkerspot was such a gift. My sister's hugs and thank yous were also a glorious gift.
Family and frineds are why I am here.
Namaste,
Sherry

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a beautiful butterfly Sherry. You are a good sister to be there for your sister. That cat was lucky to meet your brother. It sounds like you had a nice day despite the circumstances.

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
This butterfly was caught in a spidar's web. I took her out of the web and she stayed near for a very long time. I think she was reather tired from trying to get out of the web. There was a young boy who was very interested in the butterfly and my camera!
Being "there" for family and friends is what we do....My brother was very kind to drive. I did have a nice time being. The butterfly was a gift.
Sherry

Mary said...

Sherry, this is from your sweet heart. Just lovely. Family matters.

I'll catch up with you soon :o)

Hugs,
Mary

kkryno said...

Well said, Sherry. Family truely is the "El Dorado" that people are constantly searching for. I've learned the hard way that what you are reaching for is probably right at your fingertips! Embrace it. Your photos make one stop to ponder the beauty this world offers us if we just stop for a moment to drink it in. I thank you for allowing me to slake my thirst. You are a blessing. :) Vikki

Leanne said...

lovely post Sherry. family is important, so important. I know that too from recent situations here. Funerals are never easy, I am glad the comfort of family helped your sister through it

Leanne x

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I am very interested in how "family" has changed in the last 50 years. My sister made a social contract when she married and honored that contract with her in-laws. She has always made sure her son has the "family" of her in-laws. I was very impressed by her grief and her commitment to this family.
I have been thinking lots about family and friends and how we are connected. It seems as if in this time of mass communication we talk less WITH each other and more AT each other....we need a global ice cream social!
Hugs,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Vikki,
Thank you so very much for your kind words. You "seeing" me is important to me. Here I am at my desk in Kansas City, Missouri, smack dab in the middle of the U.S. there you are in Alaska and we connect. We share our feelings and our ways. I love the internet!
Dorthy told us in the "Wizard of OZ" it is in our own backyard. We do search over the rainbow and always come home.
Let us drink up together...cheers to family and friends.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Leanne,
I was wondering while I was at the funeral yesterday about the calling together of family. I talked with my brother about the beautiful funeral flowers and the joys and the sadness each person brings to a funeral. I also enjoyed the family having the lucheon at the home. Family and friends brought food and beverages and this family gathered. My sister brough sandwiches.
I was the only one with a camera.
I thought about the family pictures I have of my Grandparents and my aunts and uncles. So many are when they gathered for funerals.
There always is beauty...sometimes I am lucky to snap a picture of it.
Sherry

Jayne said...

Condolences to your sister's ex's family, and how lovely that she still felt the need to be there to say goodbye. So glad you all could be there to support her.

Cheryl said...

Lovely Sherry....but then your words always are.
Beautiful butterfly and stunning photo of the magical black cat.

Q said...

Dear Jayne,
I found the experience very interesting. I also am very happy my brother took his day and went with. We had many conversations about "family".
Here in blogland we have neighborhoods and "family and friends."
Thank you for being my friend and for opening your heart and sharing your kindness.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I am in deep thought lately. As I work on getting well I am thinking about how ever did I get so sick?
One of my many troubles is my connective tissues are inflamed. I started thinking about my connection with family and friends. Just thinking and looking and repairing where needed. I feel better and I hope the inflamation is gone now.
Magical Black Cats....perhaps I need a kitty again...just thinking.
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Amazing butterfly and hope to see this species one day!

Q said...

Dear Tom,
A lifer for me!
I like to think Mother Nature sent a gift. Going to this funeral was sort of like rescueing traveling kitties..just being a nice sis.
Sherry