The plant nursery where pearl worked some years ago had several huge picture windows along one of the walls. Customers and employees relaxed in the beautifully landscaped picnic area. A gentle bubbling of the pond that greeted those entering from the southeast corner added to the calm serenity.

Birds and insects sought refuge from the hot summer heat within the large tree covered sanctuary. From the outside, our office was barely visible through the mirror-like reflection. The birds and insects were drawn into the shade then finding themselves somehow trapped by the shadows of the thick shadecloth and the window itself.

A variety of beautiful butterflies fluttered through the shelter from the hot southwestern sun. The colorful butterflies seemed to dance through the air and spread a light carefree feeling as they passed. Little white ones captivated me the most. They playfully chased each other then spiraled upward before lazily fluttering back and forth in another direction. Oh, what a simple life with a single purpose to focus upon.

One day, a small butterfly fluttered along the glass. Its persistence caught the attention of those of us within the office. It moved up and down several feet then from side to side. When it reached a window pane it would drift back the other way. If only it went around the eight inches at the side of the window or backed up a few feet to see the open fields of flowers to the side.

The warm yellow of its wings flickered about the window for what seemed like hours. Relentlessly, the butterfly continued to give all its thought and effort to moving forward or to the sides to get around what it could not see was holding it back. Its instinct most certainly could not ascertain why it was not able to fly onward through the unseen window that merely held a reflection of the beauty behind it. Several feet below the little struggling butterfly laid the bodies of various insects who had also been in its similar position.

My Master, pearl has felt the frustration of this little butterfly. She felt that she was doing what needed to be done. She had checked her bearings three times before moving back toward what she thought was right. All of her thoughts and effort were put into accomplishing the task at hand. She worked harder; believing it to be the answer.

Just as the little butterfly continued to bump against the glass, pearl was bumping against this invisible obstacle. You pulled your girl back from this repetitive, self-defeating action. You helped her understand how to orientate herself in the future. You lead her from what overshadowed her view so she could see what was real. You enabled your girl to see the situation as a whole. She could then recognize the glass that was holding her back. You taught her to move through what she had thought was impenetrateable.

Your girl is deeply grateful that you care to teach and give direction, my Master.