I was very sad that day.  Overwhelmed with grief.  My son died in February 2004, and it was a beautiful day in July, 2004.  I was reading a book called "Hello from Heaven" on my deck.  It had a chapter on butterflies and rainbows.  I got up from my lounge chair and decided to read some more on this chapter in my paddle boat out on the Lake.  On my way down I was discussed and talking to myself about how stupid getting signs from rainbows and butterflies were and I didn't believe in them so I was interested in reading more about them.  I was paddling around in my boat for awhile then I came back up to my deck.  I was laying down on my lounge chair when this monarch butterfly landed on my leg.  It slowly crawled up my leg and came up to my hand.  I tried to shake it off and it would not go.  Then I noticed that it was the same size as the butterfly on the book cover of "Hello from Heaven".  I was totally taken by surprise.  I starting sobbing, really sobbing, but the butterfly would not go off my finger.  All of a sudden my son's dog came running up the steps to my deck and start right at the butterfly.  The butterfly never moved and the dog never barked at it.  Then my little dog also came up to the butterfly and again it never moved.  I shaked it several times, then I said "Oh my God, it is you Jay".  Then the butterfly flew around me several times again.  Landed on my leg and crawled up my leg again up to my hands.  This experience lasted for 10-15 minutes.  I just could not believe it.  It flew away and I immediately went in the cabin and called my family.  I was sobbing uncontrollably.  I find the whole experience totally overwhelming.  I now believe in the sign of the butterfly.  It was a beautiful experience.  What caught my attention the most is when my son's dog ran up the steps and stared at the butterfly on my finger.  Totally amazing.  I will never forget it.

How long did the experience last?       

10 to 15 minutes

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?        

Sudden, it just happen when I needed it the most.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?          

Uncertain

I felt the butterfly was a sign, but I wasn't sure how to handle it.
 
How do you currently view the reality of your experience?          

Experience was definitely real

            Please explain why you view the reality of your experience as real or not real:         

The butterfly is a sign of rebirth,  God knew I was overwhelmed with grief.  "God comforts those who mourn"  It was just timed too perfect.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?  

No

What did you feel (while awake) immediately prior to your experience?           

HappySad
Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:          

Totally threw me off guard.  It was definetly a sign from God that my son is okay, again the timing was just too amazing to ignore.

Was there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?          

Uncertain

Grief is just too hard to explain or understand.  Feeling are all over the place.  I was stronger because I know they can reach us from the other side, sad because I still want more.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?     

When the butterfly flew away.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?        

Yes                 Describe:           

Believe more in the afterlife and in our GOD.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     I love butterflies now.  It has become my comfort to look at them.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes     I believe in God and ADC's.  God will give you what he knows you need when and where you need them.

Death Compacts are when two or more living people promise among themselves that whoever dies first will try to contact the other(s).  Have you ever made such a compact?        No

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Believe in ACD's and now butterflies for sure.  I was shocked, overwhelmed with this discovery.  Happy that it was a true sign, Sad because the butterfly flew away.

 Have you shared this experience with others?        Yes     FAMILY,  Truly believe it and thought it was wonderful.

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?   No

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?       ADC's are healing, but the reality of our loss is still much to handle.