The Icing on the Cake

Every autumn my family travels to the Smoky Mountains for vacation. While visiting a few years ago, I was having what some might call, “a rough teenager moment.” While hiking, however, my dad gave me the simplest of advice that I didn’t want to hear, but have never forgotten: Don’t focus on the negative, because it will get better; God’s got a plan. 

I was young and didn’t want to believe what my dad said; his words went in one ear and out the other. But something happened on that hike through Great Smoky Mountain National Park that made me realize how right my dad was.

As the family photographer, I had my camera with me. A butterfly caught my eye as it fluttered nearby, landing on a leaf a few feet away. Instinct kicked in and I lifted my camera to snap a few shots. I took a few pictures, then attempted to move closer, thinking as soon as I took a step it would flutter away. But it didn’t! Instead, it started to open and close its wings as if it were posing.

Two feet away, *click click click*

One foot away, *click click click*

Leaning in, *click click* finally coming within inches of it *click!*

I was able to take photos so close to it that I could see the feathers on its wings! After giving me at least 20 close-ups, it gracefully flew away. I looked at my dad in amazement. Things like this don’t happen! He had watched the entire interaction, smiling all the while. He winked at me in a knowing way and we walked on. Ten minutes later, another butterfly fluttered around me before landing on a nearby flower. I thought maybe I would get lucky again and proceeded to start the shooting process one more time. It worked! I was within inches of this beautiful creature as it flattened its wings gracefully posing for each shot.

This scenario happened a dozen times during that hike. A butterfly would flutter towards me, settle on a flower, leaf or tree, model for as many shots as I pleased and then take off. I was inches away from the creatures, but all other passersby couldn’t get within five feet!

We stopped at a cove along the trail. Although I had hiked this route many times before, I had never seen a sight quite like this. In the cove, which was typically void of any creatures, were at least 200 midnight blue butterflies swirling in flight, landing on stones, dancing in the air. I stopped and stared, not believing what I was seeing. It was at this point that I realized that my dad was right.

After snapping at least 50 shots from a distance, I wanted a closer look. I turned to my dad and asked, “Should I risk it?”

He laughed and said, “Go for it!”

My steps were slow and quiet as I moved closer to the delicate creatures. I walked into their midst and watched in amazement as they played around me. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I realized how important it is to actually look at the world around you, not simply walk by absorbed in your own issues. That was something my dad knew all along; it was how he lived his life.

My dad passed away on September 9, 2011. Looking back on all the experiences I had with him, this one is my favorites.