The Mystic Butterfly

As was all the rage in the mid 1940’s, Dolly sat in the local teen hangout. She sat alone in the corner table quietly amusing herself. Hearing the loud booming laugh she discarded her thoughts and turned slowly to see the source. Across the room she was overcome with desire for the young man standing in a throng of other teenaged girls, hanging on every syllable he spoke. Suddenly he caught her gaze, and for the first time in his life, he was awe struck. He excused himself, walked across the black and white tiled floor and sat down at her table. Before he could say a word she spoke, “Would you like to see my little friend?” Out of her coat pocket, Dolly retrieved a tiny white mouse.

Pat, my grandpa, loved to tell the story of the first time he met my Nanny. He had never encountered such a scintillating, albeit somewhat scandalous, lady. Their short marriage was turbulent. Mother and her husband, Sam, didn’t approve of the young man. Don’t forget that no one was good enough for their precious Dolly. Sam could be heard muttering, “The bum is here.” (side note: the bum became a self made millionaire after their divorce). Out of their love, two children were born, Kathleen and Michael.

Kathy was an unremarkable young girl with red hair and hazel eyes. Her beauty would develop over the years, slowly metamorphosing into a vivid butterfly. She wasn’t as outgoing and charming as Dolly and Louise. She was the perfect balance of all the women before her. One characteristic unique to her was her defiance. She was bold, daring, audacious.

She rebelled against authority at home and in school. Kathy was worldly smart but struggled through her academic years. Her teenage years were fraught in turmoil. Her stepfather grew to resent her and was overtly cruel to her. Millie was too consumed in shielding Dolly to fully protect Kathy; and Dolly was too consumed in her make belief world. Kathy learned survival skills at an all too early age. She became a fighter, though just below the surface was a small girl longing for approval.

Just barely an adult Kathy escaped from her home and the enduring heartbreak her stepfather had caused. She forged a life of her own, always searching for a happiness that may have eluded her in early life. She moved to a new city to pursue a new life. She was finally free to explore life, love and laughter. She had enough sadness, anger and frustration to last ten lifetimes.

On her own she slowly blossomed into a strikingly beautiful woman. Women were drawn to her, forming friendships that would last a lifetime. Men were mesmerized by her arresting spirit and remarkable beauty. Even though she left a number of them brokenhearted, I am convinced that they still long to be in her world for just one more moment. She never intentionally harmed anyone. She was simply on a journey to find the happiness she so deserved.

Because of, or in spite of, her difficult beginnings, Kathy has become a strong and independent woman. She carries herself with grace and dignity even in the face of hardships. She lives fiercely, laughs fiercely and loves fiercely. I am fortunate enough to be the daughter of this extraordinary woman who is more than content to lead an ordinary life.