"Faith the Butterfly.....Her Mysterious Creation" (One of My Stories...)
. Sent to Me from Above ... The kids are grown and on their own.  My job as a mother, so to speak, is complete.  Instead of believing its time for my life to start winding down, I decided oh contraire, it's just beginning.  I am blessed to have some extraordinary people in my life who lovingly gave me encouragement and support to make needed changes, move forward without fear, trust in my faith and relinquish myself to its power to guide me out from the shadows and pains of the past, and embrace life with a renewed passion.  I also have some very special butterflies that come into my life at just the right times. (Another story I love to share!)
They brought me inspiration, hope, strength and a sense of peace.  I truly believe they were all sent to me from above....all angels.
A Renewed Passion For Life... After much reflection and lengthy passionate discussions, my quest began to create custom designed jewelry pieces whose beauty and heartfelt, inspirational messages would touch lives.  The mystique of the butterfly and its intuitive wisdom to trust the peace of the darkness as it aspires to grow, spread its wings and fly free in the light of a new day, it truly one of nature's wonderments.  The personal meaning, along with its commonly known symbolism of hope, positive change and triumph over adversity, are part of what inspired me to select the butterfly as the heart of the design. I had a vision....  The design of the butterfly had to be classy and beautiful, have soul, be inspirational and full of positive energy. It had to be something you'd love to wear or give as a heartfelt gift.
Capturing My Vision... Ryan Bensink, a young amateur artist from Clymer New York, excited to be involved with the project, sketched several drawings as we worked together to capture the vision from within us. Through the eyes of Linda, my amazing friend, an angel, hidden within the butterfly, was instantly seen in one of Ryan’s sketches. Imagine our surprise, as the angel was not drawn with intention.  It was as if his talented fingers were unknowingly guided.
. Work continued with the conversion of the drawing into a jewelry piece, bringing more challenges. Gary Carr, my partner, introduced me to David Barthau, a renowned jeweler from Stouffville, Ontario, Canada.  David has supported many worthwhile charity initiatives over the years and without hesitation, embraced this new opportunity. It was David's recommendation that the original sketch, as drawn by Ryan Bensink, be somewhat modified to assure the visual of the angel within the butterfly was maintained.  Carly Barker, an up and coming artist/jewelry designer, also of Stouffville, was thrilled to be involved.  Her sketches were amazing, with beautiful detail.  She truly captured my vision.  It was her and David's talents that gave the little butterfly her soul and brought it to life.
Faith the Butterfly and the Angel Within Early one morning I was awakened by "my angels" and the first little butterfly's identity came to light -- Faith.  The message she and her angel hidden within would share is one of compassion, hope and loving support..."You are never alone..."  And she would have two sisters --Freedom and Spirit. It was our faith and relinquishing ourselves to a higher power that kept us steadfast in “finding the way”. It was our faith that gave us inspirational guidance and brought into our path all those who joined us along this wonderful journey.
Spirit of the Butterfly Will Touch Lives The mysterious evolution of these special butterflies is clearly a reflection of the peace and happiness that can be discovered through faith, friendship and loving support.  Whether the "Spirit of the Butterfly" brings you peace or strength, is given to someones pecial who is in need of encouragement or worn simply because you enjoy their beauty and inspirational message, it is a gift from the heart.  The powerful energy of their "wing wake" is far outreaching and knowingly or unknowingly, as I have experienced first hand, has the potential to touch many lives.
Freedom and Spirit... Freedom is newly release July '07!!  The message Freedom and the angel within will share is "My Wings are Your Wings....should yours become weary".  Spirit is scheduled for release in 2009.
A portion of proceeds is donated to charities. (Learn more here)
		May the light of your spirit      shine upon the path of another....... Tina Marie Carr, CHLC, CRM
Thank you to all the wonderful people who helped bring Spirit of the Butterfly to us today!!!  Please "pay it forward" through your patronage.  View them here.

BUTTERFLIES, ANGELS
& WINGS OF LOVE               by Tina Marie

Give Me Strength

It was temporary

But not

The little butterfly tattoo

Placed on my right rib

Angled outward

It was my reminder

Stay strong

Be clear

It was time to fly

Time to be free

Time to be myself

Me 24/7

No more shame

Fear

Guilt

No more

Only those that truly love me

Respect me

Will share in my life

It’s so wonderful to finally feel at peace

Placed Close to My Heart

It was time

Time to commit

Just a stock butterfly

Little larger than I first thought

A classy blend of color and lines

Yikes!

The first bite of the needle

Was like nothing I’ve ever felt

Painful and exhilarating at the same time

Did my angels guide me to this particular butterfly

I think perhaps

As the days and months pass

More and more meaning and depth is discovered of my tattoo butterfly

Placed at an angle, on my ribs, near my heart

Colors that instill trust, growth and wisdom

Joy and tranquility

She holds within her wings meaningful initials

And beautiful angelic wings

She truly has spirit

My tattoo butterfly

It’s so wonderful to finally feel at peace

A Gift from the Heart

A beautiful gold butterfly pin

Given with love

Unselfish and free of conditions

I wore it as a reminder

Pinned close to my heart

Stay strong

Believe

Persevere

It was time

Time to move on

Time to begin a new life

Time to purge the hurt and let go

So many boxes

So many memories

So tedious

Pausing to take a deep breath

Exhausted by the process

I reached to touch my precious butterfly pin

To draw on its love

Seeking strength to nourish my weary spirit within

It was gone…by sweet butterfly

My heart was broken

I was filled with sadness

How could I have been so irresponsible

Panic and fear consumed me

In anticipation of the verbal reprimand

Of which I grew accustom

Was sure to follow

Instead, I was embraced by loving arms

Held compassionately

Shown such kindness, understanding and empathy

Like I’ve never experience before

Reassured that everything would be okay

We’ll find it

Have faith

Thank you God for this miracle

For this man you’ve sent to me

With such a gentle spirit

It so wonderful to finally feel at peace

Embraced by Angels

I have angels, as do we all

I wish I’d had this revelation years and years ago

That’s neither here nor there at this point

My angels kept that beautiful gold butterfly safe

While it waited to be found

By the loving man who blessed me with it

Clasp still closed

In perfect condition

But how

There was no tear where it was worn

It lay where cars moved in and out constantly for two days

How as it that it was not damaged

No driven over, stepped on or kicked aside

Why was it he who found it

It had to be angels

There’s no other explanation

No other possibilities

It was returned to me with love

It’s so wonderful to finally feel at peace

Hope, Strength and Inspiration

My butterflies

Give me hope, strength and inspiration

My butterflies remind me

To keep faith in my heart

To believe

And know that I am never alone

God, the angels and spirits are always with me

My true friends and family too

All of them are here for me always

Helping me to feel safe and secure

Through their love I will be nourished

And find the strength to grow

My butterflies inspired me

To share my story with others

To create special butterflies

With messages of hope and love

It is so wonderful to finally feel at peace

Sent From Above

A talented young artist

Son of a close friend

Sketching with passion

As we worked together to capture my vision

Imagine our surprise

When an angel is seen within the butterfly

By the eyes of true friend

Someone near and dear to my heart

This angel was not drawn with intention

Was it the angels once again

In my heart, there is no doubt

A gifted jeweler and young designer

Join this wondrous journey

Giving life to my special butterfly

Such beauty and detail

Reflecting peace, hope and love

"Faith" would be her name

As it was sent to me one night

"You are never alone..."

She and her angel softly remind us

"Faith" will have two sisters

Who will join her someday soon

"Freedom" and "Spirit"

Hearts joined as one

My vision is that they fly far and wide

The Spirit of the Butterfly

To touch the lives of many

Is their mission

Of this I am certain

For my butterflies are blessings

Sent to me from above

Created by the giving hearts and spirits of many

Fly free my butterflies

It's so wonderful to finally feel at peace.

Feel at Peace

Embrace the wonder that you are,

With a forgiving, respectful love.

Have faith in your strength to persevere.

As you lay your head to rest at night,.

Be still in the darkness, wait and listen
Feel the peace.

Trust and believe

Knowing there is a new day to follow.

Awake with a smile

Feel the love and gratitude within,

For this feeling is like no other..

Spread your wings

Fly free like a butterfly

May the wake of your wings surround
all whom it touches with kindness,

And may the light of your spirit

Shine upon the path of another,

So they too may feel at peace.

It’s so wonderful to feel at peace

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