NorthStar Hospice butterflies available for August release community celebration

For many, the release of a butterfly for their loved one is a symbolic letting go; a release of love toward the light; the permission to be free.
The third annual release of monarch butterflies through the hands of family and friends of those taken by cancer will be held at 1 p.m., Aug. 17 at the Holiday Inn in the Falls.
Butterflies in the name of loved ones are available to order through June in support of the local NorthStar Hospice which serves county residents who are terminally ill or have been given a prognosis of six months or less to live.
But a butterfly may be released to celebrate the life of any individual was has passed away; whether from cancer or another disease, accident or old age.
Called an annual celebration, Joe Van Guse of the Falls said his experiences with the event both as fund raiser and personally, have been powerful. Van Guse lost his wife Brenda, to cancer.
“When I first did this, I cheated and let go of my butterfly a bit early, just to see how it went,” said Van Guse. “But then when everyone let go at once, the whole garden was filled and it was an amazing feeling. It was just stirring.”
Van Guse explained that the butterflies take off when let go but then light very quickly to stretch their wings. “They were docile. Kids picked them up and touched them.
Van Guse said that he observed how healing the gesture seemed to be for the people involved. People stuck around, expressing their grief but also sharing a restorative event. It is just a beautiful experience.”
New hospice coordinator Polly Hebig invites everyone in the community to order butterflies on Thursdays and Fridays at Super One Food Market in the Falls; and at SuperValu in the International Mall on Fridays; or at the NorthStar Hospice Offices at 900 Third Street in the Falls. The price is $20 per butterfly.
The Rev. Sue Hamly said releasing a butterfly was a meaningful way to remember her dad.
“I was really excited to see a lot of people and their facial expressions when they released their butterflies,” Hamly said.
A butterfly quilt donated by the Whispering Pines Quilt Guild will be raffled, and those raffle tickets are available to purchase at $5 each at the NorthStar Hospice Offices. The winner will be drawn at the event after a brief memorial service and entertainment will be provided for the butterfly release.
NorthStar Hospice is a local medically certified hospice for which this fund raiser will help support non-covered services for local cancer patients and their families. Hospice support may include massage therapy, volunteer help, bereavement guidance, non-covered supplies such as mouth swabs and other products that clients may need.
Van Guse said the community has been fortunate for the past two years to have had beautiful weather in which to let go of the butterflies in the midst of the Inn’s floral displays along the Rainy River. “We have a tent, just in case of rain this year,” he added.
Van Guse noted that some people purchase butterflies but do not attend to release them so others including children are invited to participate. “And people should come and experience this even if they don’t buy,” he said. “They will always get something from this.” He believes that although the event evolved out of sadness, it is a joyful experience. Previous hospice coordinator Phyllis Karsnia agrees:
“Butterflies release many emotions in participants — tears as they remember loved ones; joy in watching the butterflies dance out of their hands; and seeing them in the flowers of the gardens. It’s a very touching event.”

Butterflies in the name of loved ones are available to purchase at $20 per butterfly, on Thursdays and Fridays at Super One Food Market in the Falls; and at SuperValu in the International Mall on Fridays; or at the NorthStar Hospice Offices at 900 Third Street in the Falls. Quilt raffle tickets are also available at $5 per ticket at the NorthStar Hospice Offices. Family members and friends will release the butterflies on Aug. 17 in the International Falls Holiday Inn gardens.

Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light

Lyrics from the song
“Fly” by Celine Dion