The Bereaved Families of Ontario (Ottawa Region) held their annual Butterfly Release Fundraiser and Walk to Remember at Beechwood Cemetery this past Sunday on what was, contrary to the weather forecast, an ideal day with temperatures moderate and bright skies with only a slight overcast. People come to this service to remember loved ones passed, not just recently, but sometimes decades ago, but everyone still missed with passion.
The event was broken down into three parts starting with the speakers and memorial procession to pick-up the butterflies, followed by the butterfly release and then the walk around the cemetery to remember. Some people spoke of their missing partners, children, parents, etc., with Councillor Mathieu Fleury speaking as well. Music was performed in remembrance by two people, one of the songs being “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. There were poetry readings and finally the procession where people, row by row, walked up to the podium to speak the names of those they remembered and then pick-up their butterfly. Once everyone had their butterfly (painted lady butterflies), everyone was lead over to the Sacred Pond by a flutist and the butterflies released. The reason for using the butterflies is explained by the BFO as:
“The ancient Native legend tells us that: If anyone desires a wish to come true, they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since they make no sound, they can’t tell anyone but the Great Spirit. So by making the wish and releasing the butterfly, it will be taken to the heavens and be granted.”.
For me, the saddest part, and it is a sad event, was seeing Kicha, a 13 year old service dog whose master had just past recently. Although attentive when approached, she mostly just lay by the doorway.
to see all the pictures, CLICK HERE
==================================================
