Special Delivery

I was working one day at a funeral home (which shall remain nameless), covering a funeral for a director who was out of town that day. The funeral was at 11 AM in the chapel with the burial in the cemetery (also, nameless) across the street.

At 9 AM, we received a package from FedEx with a label “KEEP IN COOL, DARK STORAGE,” and was addressed for the funeral of (again, nameless). Of course, this peaked all of our curiosity, and since I was the director, I was the one who had to open the box to see what it was.

I had thought that maybe it was some sort of small floral arrangement or something, but was a bit unsure, seeing as the package was the size of a volleyball, which could be all sorts of “scary” things.

Well being the quick thinker I am, I decided to call the family first. I spoke with one of the children who informed me that an aunt had ordered butterflies which would need to be released at the graveside service. I thought to myself, “Unusual, but Okay!” So, I put the box in a closet that was dark and cool, just as directed.

When we got to the graveside, I had opened the box and found little triangular “envelopes” with rubber bands around them. The trick was, you pull the rubber band, the triangle unfolds and the butterfly so gracefully flies away and the memory of that loved one is forever remembered in the butterfly. If only life were as perfect as the instructions!

I handed the triangles out to each grandchild, as instructed. Keep in mind that the oldest of the grandchildren was about 11, so we’re dealing with young participants. You could tell which aunt had the wonderful idea by the huge gloatacious smile upon her face that I can assure you was short-lived.

Each grandchild opened the triangle to find, what appeared to be a dead moth. The instructions had warned that you needed to give the butterfly about 2 seconds to wake up out of their “dark cool place coma,” and they would spread their beautiful wings and fly away. Didn’t happen! Each moth lay there, snoozing away for a good 15 to 20 seconds and nothing happened, a minute, nothin'. Well, as you know, young children don’t have the patience for 15 to 20 seconds, let alone a minute, and I must confess I didn’t either! One of the kids threw their’s up in the air just to see a moth fall helplessly to the ground.

What had happened, unbeknownst to me, was that the butterflies shipped to 110 degree Wichita Falls, TX were butterflies from 72 degree CALIFORNIA!!! They didn’t know what to do being released into an oven.

After we “went on” one of the young grandchildren began stomping on the defenseless butterflies, yelling, “MOMMY LOOK, THEY’RE LIKE GRANDMA!!” Needless to say, it was not the time or place for such actions, seeing as the service was in Grandma's memory.


Later, as everyone was leaving the graveside, I and my wonderful associates all witnessed a beautiful occurrence. Each moth, who survived the wrath of a 5 year old grandchild, began to spread their wings and fly away. Turns out, they weren’t moths at all. Each one had the beautiful markings of a Monarch Butterfly. They all flew west for some reason, I guess in an attempt to journey to their homeland. I wonder if they made it home.

It was ashame the family had already left and was unable to witness the event.

I wonder if the aunt got her money back?

-frolicking with his butterfly net a waving, approved by Farley Wells, CMDI.