Thanks to Penny Victor and the organisers of the S.O.F.T. 2000 conference - The Florida Chapter of S.O.F.T., there was an extra special event at the memorial picnic - a Butterfly Release. Below is a copy of the words spoken at the butterfly release and the poems that were shared. I hope that it is as special for you as it was for the families at the conference.

Photo with grateful thanks to the Domhoff Family

We are gathered here today to honour the memories of our children and to
share this bond of releasing a balloon to the heavens for our SOFT children
and for all the children of the world. We miss them so very much!

Here are some words about butterflies that express how we feel about our
angels...

A Butterfly Lights Beside Us ...

A butterfly lights beside us, like a sunbeam ...
and for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world ...
but then it flies on again, and although
we wish it could have stayed,
we are so thankful to have seen it all.
Author Unknown

Photo with grateful thanks to the Hardy Family

Butterfly in the Wind Poem

A child is ...

A butterfly in the wind,
Some can fly higher than others;
but each one flies the best it can.
Why compare one against the other?

Each one is different!
Each one is special!
Each one is beautiful!
Author Unknown

Indian Legend

If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first
capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.

Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not
reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all.

In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom,
the Great Spirit always grants the wish.

So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its
freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.

We release this final bouquet of balloons in honour of the angels known only to God.