Moths (SOL16 #14)

It was a beautiful June day. The day definitely didn't match the the reason that we were there. As we pulled into the cemetery and drove slowly toward the gravesite I stared out the passenger side window. Suddenly a large moth landed on the window. I watched as it's tiny legs gripped the glass. At that moment I wished I could fly away. 

The car stopped and my mom touched my arm. It was time to say goodbye. I opened the car door and got out. As I shut the door I looked at the moth. It didn't move. It stayed still on the window. 
We all walked to the gravesite. Everyone was somber and staring at us as we took our seats next to the flag covered casket. The priest spoke, though I can't remember what he said. I looked over at my brother who was dressed in his Navy uniform. All of the sudden he didn't look like a teenager to me anymore. He turned into a man that I almost didn't recognize. 

I was lost in my thoughts when I saw it. The moth. The moth returned and flew between my mother and brother and landed on the casket. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Did anyone else notice? Was I crazy? What was with this stupid moth, and why was it the only thing I could focus on? The ceremony continued on with the moth sitting still watching us. 

My father was in the military and because of his service we had a military funeral. At military funerals there is bugle player that plays Taps. My dad's ceremony was no different. Taps began to play and my brother stood up at attention and saluted our father. I'll never forget that sight. I'll also never forget what happened next. 

That moth flew back from the casket and landed on my brother. There the moth remained until the end of the ceremony when my godmother decided to brush it off of my brother's shoulder.  She stopped me as we walked back to the car to ask if I had seen the moth. I told her I did, and that I thought I was going crazy. She looked at me and said softly, "It was your Dad visiting." 

Crazy... I know. 

Now one could just chalk this up to an odd experience, but ever since that day moths will show up when I least expect them or when I most need them. If I'm struggling to make a decision... I'll see a moth. If I'm feeling sad about something... a moth appears. If something happy is happening in my life... a moth is there too. Moth encounters happen indoors and outdoors, and during any season of the year. Truly, even though it sounds crazy I believe these encounters are my Dad's way of visiting me. Seeing a moth make me feel that he is still around.