A Butterfly from Heaven
In the sweltering heat of an August afternoon in Florida I was hot, tired and drenched with perspiration as I was nearing the end of a brutal 40-mile bicycle ride. My last obstacle to being done was to cross US 441, a busy 4 lane highway. As I came off a side street to the highway I realized traffic was much heavier and faster than usual. Crap! I don’t want to have to stop and start again. Looking down the road I saw a slight opening in the onslaught of traffic. I decided to make a quick 360º turn around lining myself up for a straight shot across the street between this first wave of traffic and the next one. Just as I completed my turn a large yellow butterfly fluttered in front of my vision distracting me and halting my planned dash across the highway. Damn it! I clamped down hard on my brakes bringing my bike to a skidding halt. My front wheel stopped a foot into the traffic lane.
At the same instant a heavily loaded logging truck roared past, missing my bicycle by mere inches. Whoa, that was close! After regaining my composure from what probably would have been a fatal collision, I noticed the butterfly was perched on the front edge of my helmet. I smiled with amazement and wonder as I watched God’s little angel take flight in the direction of the oncoming traffic lanes. The highway was now clear of traffic allowing me to proceed safely across.
Had I made that original mad dash across the highway it would have ended in disaster for me. Thank you, God, for taking care of this old guy on a bicycle.
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7 Comments
Suzanne Ricci
October 10, 2020I saw one today for the first time and she/he was beautiful.
Carol Graham
August 20, 2018Good to know someone is watching out for you! Still…be careful out there 😉
Frank Briscoe
August 22, 2018Thank you Carol. God has and is taking good care of this Old Guy.
Jim
August 20, 2018You continue to be blessed and thankfully you recognize miracles big and small.
God Bless my friend…
Frank Briscoe
August 22, 2018Hi Jim!
Yes it only took me 65 years to realize God is truly there and has always been guiding, providing and protecting me. Take care my friend. God Bless you!!!
John Wuertz
December 25, 2020Frank, what are you doing these days? Where are you living? Still traveling?
Merry Christmas.
John Wuertz
Waverly, IA
Met you on Ragbrai several times.
Frank Briscoe
February 4, 2021Hi John, sorry I’ve taken so long to get back to you haven’t been touring for over 7 years but I do ride regularly, rode over 5000 miles in 2020. Nice to hear from you as I think of you and riding RAGBRAI often, would love to do again. I stay in touch with Barbara Ann and she was to get together with me for doing the event but she we never followed through. Are you still riding and doing RAGRAI? I’d enjoy hearing from you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, only a couple months late. Take care my friend and hope to hear from you.