OLDS — About 70 people participated in the second Olds & District Hospice Society’s (ODHS) second butterfly release.
The event, held July 16 in the Olds College Botanic Gardens, took place on a bright, warm, sunny day.
Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on making a person’s end-of-life journey as comforting as possible.
Participants purchased and released butterflies from tiny boxes in memory of loved ones who had passed on.
Mary Smith, executive director of the Olds & District Hospice Society thanked the crowd for supporting the society by buying butterflies and participating in the event.
Pastors Melissa Furst of the Home Church and Bruce Archer of the Zion Church in Didsbury spoke words of comfort to those suffering from the loss of friends or loved ones.
Musician Jim Adamchick played gentle, soothing music.
Furst and Archer both referenced God, saying He knows the suffering those who have lost friends and loved ones are going through and He is there to provide comfort.
"He’s here to offer His care, His concern that He knows what you’re going through and He cares about it,” Furst said.
“Sometimes we think God only cares about the really big things, the really bad things. He cares about all the things in your life.”
She led the group in prayer.
“Would you just touch every heart that’s grieving, that’s suffering a loss. Would you just touch and bring your comfort, even in this moment,” she asked.
Archer noted this was the first time he had participated in a butterfly ceremony “so I feel really privileged to be with you here today.”
Butterflies go through four stages in their life cycle: inside an egg, becoming a caterpillar, the chrysalis stage where they transform from a caterpillar, and finally life as a butterfly after they emerge from the chrysalis encasement.
Archer alluded to those stages during his talk.
“The beauty of this butterfly metaphor does not suggest that it’s easy. In fact, it probably points to the struggle that we all have,” he said.
Archer also compared the loss of a friend or loved one to the trauma the body goes through during and after surgery.
“Just as an operation traumatizes the body, a loss jolts the emotional system for these (causing) disruption and upheaval,” he said.
“While grieving is painful, it is viewed as a healthy response. For without grieving, emotional recovery is not possible.”
"There are no shortcuts to grief. Intellectually, you know a loss has occurred, but there’s work to be done in accepting it; the reality of your unwanted loss.”
In prayer, Archer urged attendees to “lean into God” for support during that difficult time.
ODHS executive director Mary Smith thanked all those who participated and bought butterflies.
Smith noted the society, which she described as a “true gift” for the community, was created about 12 years ago by five local residents.
Smith indicated there’s a real need for what the society provides, pointing out that the two hospice suites the society has at Seasons Encore have remained full for about a year and a half.
She thanked all those who have supported the ODHS, noting it now has about 90 volunteers helping out in one way or another.
Smith read aloud some writings regarding butterflies.
“There’s a native, aboriginal legend: if you have a secret wish, capture a butterfly and whisper to it,” Smith said.
“Since butterflies have no voice, your secret is safe in their keeping. Release the butterfly and it will carry your wish to the Great Spirit.
“Who alone knows the thoughts of butterflies? By setting it free, you are helping to restore the sacred balance of nature and your heart’s wish will surely be granted.”
She read another one: “The butterfly is nature’s way of reminding us that there is hope, even in grief. When the caterpillar is no more, the butterfly is born in ultimate freedom and beauty.
“Often in life, what appears to be an ending is really a glorious new beginning.”
In addition to thanking all those who participated, Smith thanked Furst, Archer and Adamchick for their involvement and Olds College for allowing the release to be held in the wetlands.
Smith told the Albertan that this year's event raised about $2,250 for the society, down from about $4,000 raised last year.
She cited several factors for the lower figure this year: a big funeral in Sundre for many past participants and the fact that more people are on vacation this summer, now that people can travel.
