The Butterfly That Made a Ripple

A butterfly, rose, and an inviting front porch…a moment to remember and honor one who lived with an evergreen yuletide spirit.

Welcome back!  I’ve been waiting for you…so grab a glass of that nice, cold water and let’s chat awhile.  Our front porch sitting days are counting down –it won’t be long before we’re sitting around my fireplace and sipping hot chocolate, coffee or tea. But, for today let’s reflect on the week that has just passed.

Have you ever noticed that one small stone, tossed in a pond, can create a ripple that travels across to the other side?  It’s an image that I keep in my mind and my heart to help remind me of my place in this world.

The image first took hold in my heart when I struggled to move forward from the passing of my mother and sister. Those days were very challenging… the weight of the world seemed to be sitting on my shoulders. 

During that time, as I leaned on Jesus for my emotional healing, I remember asking to just be a pebble so that He could be the ripple.  Part of me was struggling to understand who I now was. My identity had been wrapped in a nice, neat, little package –daughter, sister, aunt, and teacher. My place in the world was no longer known.

Evergreen Yuletide is the outgrowth of that search.  Realizing that my place in this world is to do my best by being a reflection of Jesus’s love, I am the pebble…He is the ripple.

Living my life and finding joy in every day isn’t always easy, but I have come to understand that the only thing that I can control in this life is my responses to every situation. In life, it seems that some of the smallest pebbles create some of the biggest ripples. Sadly, we lost one of those pebbles this week. 

The very sad news of the passing of Dolly Parton saw me reflecting on her life and how she embodied everything that Evergreen Yuletide represents.  I cannot let this weekend pass without sharing a small tribute.

I never had the opportunity to meet Dolly in person, yet like for so many people, her passing felt personal. I know that when people die, everybody has something wonderful to say…I wonder why people wait for their loved one to pass before saying such nice things? It was different with Dolly.

I’m sure that there were some haters that she encountered in her life, but the overwhelming number of video clips during her life reflect the love and appreciation that people have, not for the celebrity, but for the woman…the Dolly Parton who spread her wings but never cut her roots. 

The closest I came to meeting Dolly was going to Dollywood. No, she wasn’t present during any of my visits, but my parents, sister, and I spent a great deal of time in the museum –not the one that was just finished, but the first one that was there. We were in awe of items that have been preserved from her childhood. The information that was written, was like having a conversation with Dolly.  You left feeling like you had a personal visit…like the butterfly stopped so you could meet her. 

Throughout Dollywood, the butterfly is a ubiquitous symbol. Such a beautiful and delicate reflection of life, the butterfly represents Dolly very well. Everything that she touched was infused with a little bit of her. I’m sure that pages will be written sharing many of the wonderful things she did, but didn’t announce. She left this world, the same way she lived her life… with joy, optimism, hope, and love of family friends and fans. I believe she knew that she was facing the end of her life in this world, yet during those last eight months, no one knew. Dolly remained Dolly. She shared her optimism, apologized to her fans for having to cancel her Las Vegas dates, and lived every moment to the best of her ability… encouraging others while it was she who needed to be encouraged. There was no long, drawn-out goodbye–just a private bon voyage with her family and God.

Living with joy means that our hearts are open to the expression of love. Loving means that we seek opportunities to share that love in some way. Paying it forward is a great way to express love–it is giving while expecting nothing in return.

Paying it forward guided me to put some studio work on hold and to design a gift to put in your Secret Garden that honors Dolly’s life. My heart guided my hand to reveal this hand-painted watercolor tribute butterfly. 

The butterfly represents the woman who had the courage to spread her wings and fly. Even though she could fly, she took the time to land and remained grounded in her beliefs.  Those beliefs guided her daily life.

I chose to use multiple colors for this butterfly. It represents the child who wore the lovingly made coat of many colors…a gift of a mother’s love.

 It is a simple gift to mark a place in the story of your life.  May it inspire you to live each day with color, and to have the courage to spread your wings as well.

As always, your gift is awaiting you in your Secret Garden. Just tap the butterfly image and it will transport you there. Don’t forget that your monthly password is always in your weekly newsletter.

In honor of a life well lived, find a moment to pay it forward so that others will experience both love and joy…and so will you.

Come into the valley–a place where joy, love, and peace are always waiting for you.

This week’s puzzle piece shares another little piece of joy. Meet Rosie, the lovely Irish setter who has a fondness for roses. She has been longing to invite you to the rose garden.

Now, as you turn to this week’s story card you’ll find yourself visiting our delightful Rosie. As always, the verses paint visions of both the valley and our newest friend.

Be sure to visit Inspiration Gallery as well. I’ve decided the gallery will now hold your completed coloring pages — whether they’re colored by you, your child, or another generation of your family. If the page comes from your Secret Garden, you’re welcome to share your finished gift here, adding your touch to the gallery’s growing collection.

📧 Stay in Touch and Claim Your Gifts

Do you have a need for a special product that you cannot find anywhere? My studio awaits your request! You can always send me an email at: paula@evergreenyuletide.com

⛲️ Newsletter and Your Garden Gifts

By signing up to receive my weekly newsletter, if you so choose, you will be given the password that opens Your Secret Garden. You can always access the garden by clicking on the golden key at the bottom of this post. Within that garden, you will find every gift that has been given since the inception of this blog. Nothing ever leaves—it is ready when you are.

Gently tapping the below images brings you to your treasure chest and magical book. The newest button takes you to Inspiration Gallery—a great place to view the work of your Creative Kindred Spirits. Don’t forget, you can always email me a photograph of something you’ve created with one of my products, or send in a colored coloring book page that was shared with you in the garden. I would love to feature it in the gallery.

🌞 Closing Reflection

The sun rises and sets every day…let’s make every day a gift to ourselves and for others. Until next time…spread your wings and plant your roots.

Have a wonderful week!

Come into the valley–a place where joy, love, and peace are always waiting for you.