Chime Tribute to my Butterfly

I totally love the wind chime Aunt Phyllis brought to me over Thanksgiving. At first I thought I should have asked her where the best place was to display it while I was in Kerrvillle. However, I found the perfect placement and decided to keep it there for the time.

Although few of you have had the opportunity to enjoy Granny & Granddad's backyard, it is one of my absolute favorite places on earth. When in Kerrville, I find refuge daily in it's combination of wide-open space and privacy of the trees. It is always calming to watch the squirrels, birds, and seasonal changes defined by the leaves. I chose to display the wind chime above the ole' bench swing in the backyard. Granddad and I got the ole' bench swing out of storage and put it up around Thanksgiving 2008 to replace the original swings Cathy, Stacy, and I wore out years ago.

Even though the ole' bench swing had not been in that spot for very long, I can't remember a visit thereafter in which Stacy did not sit there with her computer or book to relax; especially during the traditional mid-day nap-time that follows lunch routinely there


Now, when I sit in that place, I feel somehow closer to her than anywhere else. Many nights I sit out there and stare at the country night sky when, what seems like, every star in the universe is visible. If you watch close enough on those clear nights, you are most certain to see a falling star or two. A night or two before Jack was born, I was sitting in my chair right beside the bench swing and noticed an unusual stillness in the air-not even a rustle could be heard from the leaves in the trees. After a moment of reflection, tears poured from my soul and I started to engaged the universe in an intense (one-sided) argument over steeling our precious angel.

Suddenly, a faint sound from the swing's chains lightly brushing against each other gently interrupted my thoughts. It was but a single touch for only a brief moment, but seemingly impossible with no apparent force, not even a breeze, to cause the disturbance. I realized that my anger and sadness had disappeared in that same instant, as if Stacy was sitting on the swing comforting me- as her presence often did. I remained there longer than usual to continue feeling what I can only describe as a invisible but calming, warm embrace.

I feel that the wind chime belongs in no other place for now. When I watch the wind chime in the sun, it's colors, chime, and daintiness reminds me of some of Stacy's qualities, things we shared, and time I will always hold closest to my heart.

Thank you for giving me a gift I can use as a pleasant reminder of my special bond and love for Stacy.

Tribute to Stacy Marie Barnett
(September 5, 1986 ~ July 21, 2009)