Twenty-Four Years.

Photo copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved.

It was twenty-four years ago today that Butterfly Woman walked on. 

Actually, it wasn't walking at all, nor even flying; it was being thrown forcibly, violently, from this plane of existence into one where I could not follow. 

My sister has been gone one year shy of a quarter-century. She was the one — the only one — who ever showed me that such a thing as unconditional love actually exists. She was — is — the butterfly.

I still miss her every day.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2017; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Butterfly Woman Returns

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

She visited me during morning prayers, then flew off into the alfalfa.

She returned this afternoon with her soul mate.

Today was supposed to be the day for me to give gifts to her. Instead, as always, she gave one to me: the gift of the shot.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Butterfly Woman

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

A single tiny monarch on the left, at play among the chamisa and mullein.

She visited me this morning at prayers, perched on a stand of clover amid the alfalfa, just after offering thanks for her memory, her life, her unconditional love.

It's been almost twenty-two years since I've been able to celebrate her birthday with her.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Butterfly Wings

Photo copyright Wings, 2015; all rights reserved.

My sister was Butterfly Woman

The mourning cloak

Red wings darker than the blood we share, limned with dove white

Drifting gently around my face each summer

A reminder that her spirit yet lives

It soars on the currents and dances on the rays of the sun

Another spirit is about to take flight

Her cloak not red, but brightest orange flame

Like her namesake, a spirit rare and endangered 

She spent her life spreading light, and joy, and passion

Like the monarch spreads pollen

Fertilizing, feeding, nourishing

Causes, people, life itself

Her wings have slowed in this world

For now

But her spirit animates them still

For now, that spirit plans its journey

Consults its map

Plots its path to a new garden

Filled with flowers that hold a new pollen

One that nourishes the spirit of this world she loves so much

And so, soon,

She will gather her wings

And she will take flight

And when summer comes

And you feel that gentle touch on your face

But cannot see the wings themselves

You will know that it is she

Nourishing your soul

We love you, Cedwyn.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.