My Parent’s Reconciliation Vacation (excerpt from Proverbial Woman), Part XIX

It was Albert Einstein who once said, “Dig deep into nature and you will understand all things better…” Even nature, in its sometimes-boisterous approach, has a way reminding us of our fallibility.

It was not until six days later they returned home together. They shared what happened, along with the bad news of mom’s diagnosis with Amy and me. We were stunned. For the following two days we stayed with them and didn’t say a word to one another. It was not until mother insisted that we put on a good face for father that we came around.

After that, realizing that we had each other to help get through it, we became so elated that they had worked things out that we decided to throw a surprise anniversary party in their honor. Which just so happened to take place right around their seventeenth wedding anniversary date.

Mother Celia and Papa even came up for the special event. Though after hearing the bad news she end up staying for three more weeks. She and I spent a great deal of time together talking about a lot of things.

We covered a variety of subjects, but mainly talked about marriage. She shared with me a lot of things that would one day make a difference in my life. During the course of our time spent together we took many walks around the estate. One day when we were sitting out by the lake she said something that I found to be quite interesting.

After noticing a butterfly flying around near us, referencing to their marriage she said, “You know. It is only a small number of caterpillars that survive life. And those that do, they are the ones that transform into beautiful butterflies.”

I heard what she said at the time. Though it really didn’t have an impact on me until I went to bed later that night. She was using the example of the butterfly to describe their marriage as going through a transformation. I didn’t completely grasp her concept until I read a little on the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies.

Finding some information online—as a result of not being able to sleep—I discovered she was right on with her observation. A majority of caterpillars don’t survive their initial stages of life. And those that do go on to become examples of amazing beauties of intricately detailed forms of grace.

She even spoke of what she and Papa had been through. Some of the same trials that I once was beginning to see happening to mother and father. But now I enjoy watching the beauty of their love grow with the same gracefulness and unpredictability of a butterfly in flight.

Its funny, there is a Chinese proverb that says, “The power of a butterfly’s wings can be felt on the other side of world…” Considering the fact the Amy and I were miles away across the ocean on that eventful night, I know what happened in Hawaii has somehow made a difference in my life. Though, as of now, it has yet to be revealed.

Seven months have gone by since they returned from their reconciliation vacation. Mother Celia gave it that name when we all were sitting out on the Veranda having breakfast one day. We’re now starting to feel like a family again.

We’re even contemplating taking a drive up the coastline in the next month or so. In the mean time, in three years they’re planning to renew their vowels and have a big party to celebrate. I hope mother’s cancer will be remission.

But then again what is hope but a driven need to get beyond the present. That is, in effort of triumphing over the past. In light of embracing signs of faith… faith that springs forth the promise of eternity.    



The End