A Letter from Magi Bish

Molly Bish

Wings of Hope…

How does one prepare to bury their child…there is no answer except by faith, the gentle love of others, and to have “wings of hope!”

Our sixteen-year-old daughter, Molly was abducted on June27, 2000. Her remains came home, bone-by-bone, after three long and painful years.

In planning for her funeral, a friend Teddy knew of someone who had a butterfly release at a wedding. So, he contacted Melanie at the Monarchy Butterfly Farm. She then orchestrated what was a fairy tale ending to one of the most difficult days of our life. Through her thoughtful planning she was able to reach breeders from across New England, the Country and abroad. They gave us a lasting treasure. 350 Butterflies came to the cemetery in exquisite baskets of butterflies nesting on flowers, garlanded cages, and individual envelope of butterflies to share amongst our family and friends.

How appropriate, the butterfly with its wondrous beauty and tale of transition, parallel Molly’s short but beautiful life. As the butterflies were released and flew upward and encircled around our tears, I heard laughter as the children chased them. One landed softly next to my ear and whispered one last “I love you” as another landed on Molly’s sister’s shirt, resting near her heart. Moments before, I felt the depth of my womb ache like no other pain, but then the butterflies came… and we knew Molly let us smile one last time, so you see, we were given comfort and healing from the “Wings of Hope.”

I could not have planned such a beautiful or spectacular farewell. It was Melanie’s labor of love, along with her husband, her family and the generosity of the breeders that made it all possible. We feel we have received not only a treasured gift, but a blessing and we are forever grateful. ~ Magi Bish

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