Spirits Will Soar at HNC's Butterfly Release Overlooking Agua Hedionda Lagoon

Hospice
of the North Coast’s (HNC’s) annual Butterfly Release Memorial has become a
welcome harbinger of hope for bereaved families throughout North County. On May
18, those in need of solace are invited to gather at event sponsor Agua
Hedionda Lagoon Foundation’s Discovery Center, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, for
an uplifting afternoon; 2-4 pm.

The
memorial is free. Donations are appreciated. To ensure a sufficient number of
butterflies, guests should pre-register by calling 760-431-4100 or online.
People also can email their name, number of guests and loved one’s name to be
remembered to butterfly@hospicenorthcoast.org.

The
Gumpert Foundation is the main 2014 sponsor of HNC’s Hope Bereavement Center,
which coordinates the Butterfly Release Memorial. Carlsbad-based Nana Keeks Gourmet Cookies and Scones, and the Oceanside
Chick-Fil-A will donate refreshments for event-goers.

Last
year’s event drew more than 300 multigenerational guests to a picture-perfect
memorial overlooking the lagoon. Amid sunshine, smiles, music, laughter and
tears, Hope Bereavement Center Director Ti Johnson explained that although
people experience grief and pain in different ways, loss and healing are
universal. “The flight of the butterfly symbolizes life’s transformation,” she
said, as each guest was given a butterfly in a packet. Upon the simultaneous
release, some butterflies flew immediately to the sky while others lingered;
perhaps bidding a final goodbye.

Looking
at the monarch comfortably perched upon her collar, Marjorie Camp confided, “I
am here in memory of my son, Richard David Camp III, who died in 2006. Today is
his birthday.”

For
more information about HNC’s ongoing bereavement programs, open at no cost to
community members, please contact tjohnson@hospicenorthcoast.org.