The Butterfly Project

There  have been a lot of things taking my time recently.  I think I'm having some renewed clarity about life and what exactly I spend my time on.  It's an interesting thought.  


It has long been my hope and intention to serve people in some manner.  I think giving of oneself is the best way to keep ones life real.   It's strange how easy it is to get wrapped up in oneself , plus the holidays remind me of how much I detest consumerism and greed.   I know it's my black and white thinking, but if I think about things I believe all problems can be traced back to greed.   It's an ugly thought, which I don't wish to discuss right now- so let's move on, shall we?


I have been taking photos here and there thinking I wanted to share them with you.  But when it comes down to it I have a hard time deciding what to share, and what is just random.  If you know me well, you know that I despise what I call 'idle chit chat' and prefer to use my words in a wiser fashion. 


That said I will try to make this brief and get on to what I really want to share today.


The holidays are often busy with ballet lately.  This year even moreso.  Besides the usual Nutcracker rehearsals, regular classes, and helper classes this year my ballerina was asked to do some extra performances.  All week long she's been performing 'The Sugarplum Fairy' for a bunch of classes before their holiday break.  Today I managed to get some photos taken.  


Here is an example.  I found this really cool archway and took a bunch of photos of my girl- they came out great.   There are even better pics than this but I love the background here.

Here are a pair of the four pairs of ballet shoes I ended up helping to stitch this past week.  Notice I said helping.   This ballerina is going to have to stitch her own pointe shoes one day, so I am only helping now.


Now here's what I wanted to share.  I finally got my butterflies in the mail.  We are one shy, as my oldest son is procrastinating.  He'll have to mail his own.  Ours have been floating around for months and I keep losing them, then finding them, but never all in the same spot.  I finally wrangled them all and got them in the mail.  

I know I shared this with those of you who know me on facebook.  Here is a video about this project put on by the Houston Holocaust Museum.  (this is a link to their website)

I think this a different video than the one I saw.  I couldn't find it anymore.   The first one they had made me cry.  My kids were moved by it as well to do their own butterflies.

Can you believe that?  I was shocked when I heard this number.   I cannot even imagine this number.  And I love the idea of them displaying that many butterflies.  Each one different.  Each one telling a story.  The whole thing together is going to be quite moving to see.  Like seeing those giant memorial walls in DC and realizing how many people we lost.  Or the giant pieces of wreckage from 9/11 and all the names...   


It is sad and hard to remember.  But we must.  We must remember these awful things so as not to allow them to be repeated, ever again.  Ever.  


So here is the info from the Houston Holocaust Museum's website   if you'd like to participate.  They have extended the deadline for receiving the butterflies.   Oh and they can be in any media, anything.   Maybe you poets and wordy people can write something in the shape of a butterfly, or fabric, paper, anything.  They even have butterflies that can be printed out and colored in at their website.    How about a journal page cut into a butterfly shape?

Please forgive the crazy white text boxes here.  I have tried everything and cannot get them to go away.    I know this will bother the perfectionist in you, but really, it's ok.   If I can live with it, so can you...   

In an effort to remember them, Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies. The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2014, for all to remember. The Museum has already collected an estimated 900,000 butterflies. Please facilitate the “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” activity and create as many handmade arts-and-crafts butterflies as possible. This project may be completed by all ages as individuals or groups. Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.  Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but two-dimensional submissions are preferred. Glitter and all glitter-related products should not be used. Food products (cereal, macaroni, candy, marshmallows or other perishables) also should not be used. If possible, e-mail a photograph of your butterflies, to butterflyproject@hmh.org. Please send or bring your          butterflies to the Museum

information included:

• Your name,
• Your organization or school,
• Your address,
• Your e-mail address, and
• The total number of butterflies sent.

Mail or bring your butterflies to:             Holocaust Museum Houston
            Butterfly Project
            Education Department 
            5401 Caroline St.
            Houston, TX 77004 
            USA 

The deadline for butterflies to be received at the museum has now been established as June 30, 2012
For questions or additional information, please e-mail butterflyproject@hmh.org.