Last week while taking a short break from work to enjoy some sun and warm weather I had an unusual visitor join me. As I stood there enjoying the moment a small white moth flew toward me. It meandered alone its path determined to attract my attention, which it did. As the moth flew in front of me I was struck by its flight. If you have ever watched a moth fly, you will know how they seem to struggle and yet manage with an uncertain grace. She (the moth was a girl) fluttered and flopped clumsily as she literally climbed through the air molecules in front of me. She flew in awkward little circles and with my hand on my hip flew between my arm and body circling behind me, flying back around in front. She flew down near my knees, then behind me again landing softly beside my right foot. As she sat quietly on the grass a collogue who had joined me looked down at the moth, then up at me and then back down again to where the moth sat peacefully. I looked down as well and wondered how many more sleeps she might have before the seasons would fully change bringing an end to her adventure. It was in this long moment of wonder that I said, “I think we will see her again.” Not a second later she flew again, coming close one last time before departing on her journey. As she left I had a sense of cosmic understanding. We are often in the right place, yet we overlook the significance of many things that call to us. On this day, our friendly moth was determined to ensure she was noticed, and not because she would soon die, but because she was alive.

By Tom Kelly