Every now and then (rarely, actually) it happens that a person becomes part of a story so magical, so beautifully enchanting, so demonstrative of the kindness that fills the hearts of humans, it would seem a shame not to share it.
On Nov. 16, 2023, I went to Walgreens to pick up a new medicine a neurologist had recently prescribed given the symptoms he had seen in his office. Alexis, the pharmacist, had an inquiring look on her face, so I began to describe my symptoms — involuntary movements of my extremities, particularly my right arm twitching.
It was while I was describing said symptoms that I said, “Alexis, sometimes I feel like I could dance with a butterfly.”
She burst out laughing and so hearty was her laughter, I laughed with her. When she could speak, she said, “From now on, you will be ‘butterfly.’ I said, ‘No, mariposo sounds more masculine.’
A few minutes later, I took the prescription and left to run other errands.
A few minutes later, I was a the credit union in front of the window of my favorite teller, who asked me what I was chuckling about. I began to tell her what had just taken place at the pharmacy earlier.
My telling also included a report of the physical antics I had put on display for Alexis. When I got to the line, I said, “Alexis, sometimes I feel like I could dance with a butterfly.” The teller burst out laughing. Again, I joined in. I finished my banking and left, still smiling.
On Dec. 1, I was at the UNM-Valencia Campus in the office of Margaret Anaya, whom I had met a couple of years earlier. We chatted for several minutes and then, for whatever reason (God’s plan), I began to tell her about the incident at the pharmacy on Nov. 16.
When I got to the line, “Alexis, sometimes I feel like I could dance with a butterfly.”
Margaret said, “Just a minute!” She got up from her desk, walked up to a small credenza and brought back a small basket with white cards, about 4-inches by 4-inches, places several in front of me and said, “Lou, dance with the butterflies!”
It took a few seconds before I realized that attached to each card was a butterfly — a crocheted butterfly. Had I not been sitting, Surely my knees would have met the carpet.
For those in my orbit who have received or will receive a crocheted butterfly, remember — it is OK to dance with a butterfly.
Alexis, thank you for a name I will grow into. Margaret, thank you for a kindness I will never forget, and for finishing a story which is just beginning.
By the power vested in me by me, I hereby proclaim Dec. 1, Dia de Las Mariposos.
(Lou Lusero is a retired educator and founder of Let’s Move That Food.)
1175
April 25, 2024
