Chasing butterflies in Thailand

I have gone to butterfly gardens, botanical gardens, and of course, seen butterflies in fields, or sometimes in small home gardens. I never expected to find so many in the forests of Thailand.

When I stop for Thai tea, one of my new favorite drinks, it is morning and the humidity is heavy. The birds calling their hello call to me when I get off my motorcycle. The trees near the cafe are huge and wrapped with vines. Out of what seems nowhere, butterflies appear, white, yellow, orange, blue, black, brown. Some are small and some more large and extravagant.

I go into the forest after my morning tea and there are so many butterflies. They come so close to me, sometimes resting on a leaf, or the ground. The way I feel is as if they fluttered out of me. Am I here because of the butterflies? Are the butterflies here because of me?

I feel as though they are now a true part of my life. Something in my life that is beautiful, kind, and colorful. Something that reminds me I am not a monster, someone gentle enough for butterflies to dance around. I am chasing butterflies in Thailand.