I've kept these two very precious birthday wishes for months now, as I planned to write a post accompanying them when it finally go on print. I chanced upon "The Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation" which took the dragonfly as their logo. As I read this post, I cannot help but to see that as much as the symbol held true for Kelly, it was also for the others who have braved their journey home. So here it is :
"This ability to reflect and refract light is responsible for the dragonfly's status as a "light-bearer," as well as a symbol of all the power and presence that is associated with light and love. Dragonflies remind us that we, too, are "light-bearers" and silently encourage us to let our own light shine forth. In addition, dragonflies exhibit the many colors of life. With maturity, the dragonfly's own true colors come forth, as it learns to bend, shift and adapt light in a variety of ways. These bright colors take time to develop, but are always worth the wait because they ultimately reveal the insect's deepest inner beauty. The dragonfly demonstrates the utmost adaptability and grace as well. No bird or other insect has the flight maneuverability of the dragonfly, which can quickly change directions when necessary. They are experts at going where they need to be and doing what they need to do. Traditionally, the dragonfly is the symbol of transformation and life's ever-constant process of change. Although the dragonfly spends the majority of its life on the bottom of a pond as a larva, it always rises above that. The dragonfly works its way through the weight of water and into the sunlight, gathering and garnering what it needs to change and unfold. When it is ready, it sheds its protective casing and flies away from the pond, to ultimately unite with other dragonflies, which have also completed their transformation and are even more vibrant and alive.
We have chosen the dragonfly as the logo for the Foundation because its beauty and symbolism remind us so vividly of Kelly. Like the dragonfly, Kelly was not only beautiful, but she actually sparkled. This sparkle came from the light that was the essence of who she truly was. Kelly exuded this light and love even in the darkest moments of her illness and in doing so was a beacon of hope and inspiration to us all. What's more, when Kelly became ill, she was able to adapt, with the speed, maneuverability and grace of the dragonfly, and to accept the path that life gave her even though it was not at all the life she planned. Kelly also transformed and matured through her illness, and as she did, her truest colors came through even more vibrantly. Finally, in her dying, Kelly helped us to see through the illusion of death. Just as the dragonfly doesn't die when it leaves the world of the pond as a larva and water bug and transforms into a dragonfly, we trust that Kelly has gone through a transformation of her own and lives on, as well. Although she has gone away for a while, she will reunite with us when we, too, have transformed and become the light that we truly are.
Note: The content on this page was created using excerpts from various dragonfly-related websites and books."
Thank you Sean and Tim Orr for the lovely wishes!
