Thursday, September 07, 2006

Fly To The Moon On Gossamer Wings


This afternoon while watering my herb garden, I was visited by two dragonflies which continually buzzed and zipped closer and closer to me until finally, one landed on my shoulder. Its mate immediately claimed the other shoulder, and they fluttered there for several seconds while I stood as still as possible, enchanted.

Dragonflies are large, predatory insects with wingspans up to 5.5 inches. They fly at speeds up to 30 mph, snatching smaller insects from the air by means of their basket-like arrangement of legs. Fossil dragonflies of 250 million years ago had wingspans up to 31.5 inches, and were the largest insects known.

My visitors seemed to be attracted by the fine spray from my nozzle. They mate while flying and lay their eggs on water plants, so they may have been trying to determine whether my herbs and rose bushes qualified.

Then again, the personal contact made me wonder if perhaps they were the spirits of people close to me who had whimsically taken this form for the occasion. I may have just been visited by my mother and father, both long "dead," whatever that means. How clever of them to find me here since I still lived in New York when my father passed away, and in NC when I lost my mother.

My father had many talents, spoke 6 or 7 languages fluently, and could do anything. Shape shifting would be no challenge for him. He was God all my life.

My mother realized her dream of graduating from college at 79 (with honors) and was pursuing an advanced degree in Women's Studies when she died suddenly a year later. I have no argument with the way she died; I just thought we'd have her longer.

I don't know why they chose to visit me today as Sept. 7th is not a family anniversary of any kind. Or perhaps they visit me often, but I never noticed before. I will have to be more observant with my heart and not just my eyes from now on.

10 comments:

katrice said...

Wow! I've often wished I'd see my mother again. Maybe I have seen her and just didn't realize it.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I would like to think we both have. I'm not sure it's possible to get over losing ones mother.

But IF our departed ones can take any form they like, they could be anyone we meet, human or otherwise. Which is such a good argument for universal kindness.

Anonymous said...

Nice! you're parents sounded like very cool people...good memories.....and I'm sure that their spirits were with you on your shoulder today!!!!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Thank you for your sweet thoughts. It seems only fair since they must have carried me on theirs once.

Lex said...

What a nice gift. Your parents sound cool. I see you got it honest!

I love dragonflies. I just posted a blurb about them the other day. They symbolize going past self-created illusions that limit our growing and changing. And, "they" say that when a dragonfly lands on you, you will hear excellent news from someone far away from home.

So, maybe your mom and dad came from far away to let you know what a wonderful person you've become and how proud they are that you're theirs. It would certainly make perfect sense.

And, how cool that you have an herb garden? Can I come for dinner?

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Thank you so much!

What you said about dragonflies was lovely and informative. It was a great post altogether.

I would like to think they're proud of me as I was the kid who caused them trouble. Excellent news from anywhere is always welcome.

And YOU are most welcome to come to dinner anytime.

d~ said...

The dragonfly information is fascinating to me, but even more interesting is that suddenly everyone's thinking about dragonflies.

Lex posted about dragonflies, Lisa and I have been talking about them, H had some interact with her...

I like this very much.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I had the same thought. If I didn't know it was the Chinese Year of the Dog, I would think it was the Year of the Dragonfly.

Widespread dragonfly consciousness. Lex explained the symbolism. We must all be on the same path, and it's a good one.

Did anybody pack the trail mix?

jali said...

Beautiful post hearts - so sweet.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Thank you, Jali! I'm always happy to see you here.