Hello from Heaven

I saw my first butterfly of the Spring today. I was carrying some groceries into my house when suddenly the little lady flew right down in front of my face. She stayed there for a long time gently floating on the invisible breeze. She was so beautiful that my eyes filled with tears and my heart beat with love. Then she departed to dine on some delicious dandelions growing in the meadow behind my house. After she left I smiled, wiped my eyes, and thanked God for the miracle of life, the miracle of love, and the miracle of butterflies.

Butterflies have held a special place in my heart ever since I lost my Mom to cancer when she was only 55 years old. She used to love it when the butterflies would land near her while she tended her flower boxes. She would even speak to them gently in her musical voice. After she died I would think of her whenever I saw one of the delicate angels flying by. I even told my young children that every time they saw a butterfly floating on a breeze, it was their Grandma saying "Hello" from Heaven.

When today’s butterfly dropped in to say "Hi", I once again felt a joy beyond words. I felt like I was in Heaven hugging my Mom and basking in her love. I felt like I was dancing on the clouds with her while a thousand angels sang. I felt at one with life, with love, with God, and with everyone in the universe.

Now some skeptics may say that I am just a foolish man who is deluding himself, but I know this isn’t so. Delusions don’t fill your life with love. Delusions don’t fill your heart with happiness. Delusions don’t make Earth feel more like Heaven. The next time that you get your own "Hello from Heaven" then don’t doubt it. Welcome it into your soul instead. Let its love uplift you and inspire you. Let it help you to be the loving person God wants you to be.

Joseph J. Mazzella