How the Foundations Name was inspired:
Many of you may already know that Andrea was buried with a Dragonfly Friendship ring that her and some of her dearest friends bought alike while on a trip to Las Vegas last summer, 2011. I’m not sure if Andrea at the time understood the symbolic meaning of the Dragonfly, but I would like to think so. A few weeks following her death, I found myself often thinking about her ring and what it must have meant to her. I would like to think that Andrea herself motivated me to start researching and reading more about Dragonflies. It was so amazing and inspiring to me to find out just how much the life of a dragonfly resembled Andrea’s life and death in many aspects.
The Legend of the Dragonfly
“In the bottom of an old pond lived some grubs who could not understand why none of their groups ever came back after crawling up the stems of the lilies to the top of the water. They promised each other that the next one who was called to make the upward climb would return and tell what happened to him. Soon one of them felt an urgent impulse to seek the surface; he rested himself on the top of a lily pad and went through a glorious transformation, which made him a dragonfly with beautiful wings. In vain, he tried to keep his promise. Flying back and forth over the pond, he peered down at his friends below. Then he realized that even if they could see him they would not recognize such a radiant creature as one of their number.”
The fact that we cannot see our friends or communicate with them after the transformation, which we call death, is no proof that they cease to exist.
-Walter Dudley Cavert
I came across your blog while looking for dragonfly images. I did not know Andrea but from her smile I can tell she must have been a wonderful woman. I regret she decided to leave here early. I like to expand quite a bit the story above but I use the same story as a metaphor. It's a metaphor for dieing. Young children before death are read this story so their subconscious can be calm and stop all worry and prepare for the next stage in life that's as natural as being born. God bless.
ReplyDeleteJames,
DeleteMy daughter, Andrea and several of her friends had purchased Dragonfly Rings as a symbol of their friendship. She wore that ring everywhere, so after she died, I too researched the meaning of the Dragonfly and happened upon this story as well. To me, and our family it is a story of transformation from this life to the next glorified life. The manner of death should not matter. But, it does help her two children understand that death will happen to all of us, and makes them understand this process better at their young age.
I don't know if Andrea ever knew the story of the Legend of the Dragonfly, but I would like to think it represented her in some way because of her fondness for their uniqueness and beauty, just as she was.
Linda
Hi Linda,
DeleteI'm glad I was able to find this blog. I read your - and your daughter's - story in the Times News and was deeply touched. You had said you are on a mission to educate others about suicide prevention - I was wondering if you'd take the time to speak with me on this subject. Please email me at dk5090@gmail.com - Thank you!
I came across this looking up imagines of dragonflies for my new business logo. My grandma died a couple years back and dragonflies have been in my life ever since. I am a big believer in dragonflies being our guardian angels coming back to check on us. this touched my heart <3
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