A butterfly visit reminds us to be present

Not sure what it’s doing other than knocking the small white blossoms off the tree. Blossoms that will turn to small smooth round balls of sweet fruit.

Flapping its wings of black and orange. Collapsing them from view. The butterfly waits motionless. I've never seen a butterfly visit this tree. Maybe one comes everyday. But I am too busy reading emails and writing to see the natural world unfold before me.

I can’t help but see and hear the pair of nesting mourning doves that have made a home in the relentlessly shedding Chilean willow in our small bring courtyard. The pair become very excited whenever I open or close the door, flying about in a frenzied state. Scaring them out of their wits with my constant door slamming as I race out of the house.

But today it is the colorful wings of a small butterfly that have captured my attention. As it drills deep into the flower’s yellow center, I study its motions and notice for the first time that the tree has actually borne fruit. A few small green orbs nestle in the green shiny leaves.

Amidst the fruit and flowers sit slightly chewed leaves. Strewn with bite marks, holes, rips and tears. The soil, dry and crumbly needs water. Something I promised to do before I left the house this morning but got caught up in emails and laundry instead.

The lone butterfly finds another flower to caress and enjoy. Then flies away.