Broken Butterfly

When I think of a "Broken Butterfly", I reminiscence of the metamorphosis and steps that a caterpillar MUST endure to become a butterfly – there is precision and a specific order--from an egg, to a larva, pupating, and chrysalis, and eventually to the emergence of a butterfly. All of these processes have an allotted time of progression and advancement--one cannot supersede the other-each must complete its assignment before it can move to the next phase, and each process is interdependent on the other. Every stripe, pattern, color, and design is imprinted, shaped, and formed masterfully, at the right stage--at the right time. As we are aware, a caterpillar does not become a butterfly overnight; and ANY attempts to accelerate the process could only hurt, or even PROHIBIT, its chance of reaching its final destiny. A butterfly must earn its wings—and cannot emerge until each wing is strong enough to propel it to its "highest" destiny.

Now, imagine going through all the proposed steps, earning your "wings to fly", and then having one of your wings ―"broken". Technically, it would appear that all hopes of "soaring high" have now been exhausted. It would appear that life‘s heart-wrenching challenges (domestic violence, the death of a friend and a father) would impede the process and make it IMPOSSIBLE to ever "fly" again, and the illustrative beauty that equates to a ―"butterfly", has now been ―"flawed" by a broken wing—though visibly, from the outside it looks the same! From the "natural" standpoint, this would be true—because we know that ―wings‖ are a necessary factor to ―"fly"—whether a bird or man-made mechanism, such as an airplane--it is impossible to fly without wings. However, there is one factor we must consider we are "spiritual beings" in a natural existence‖ and not the other way around. What does that mean? We are governed by a "Higher" and "Supreme" Power. We have a ―personal‖ relationship and are intimately involved with the "Master Creator" of the butterfly. He is the One that can "heal" the wing and make it as good as new—with no signs of ―"brokenness" thereafter. If He replaced an "ear" that had been brutally slashed from its owner‘s face; SURELY, He can certainly heal the "wing" of a ―broken butterfly‘. And Heal… He did!

I did not know Shante‘ Cotton when she was a "broken butterfly", YET, through each of our personal and unique metamorphosis from brokenness to healing, our paths intertwined and we are now ―kindred spirits‖ ignited together by our interrelated "passion and pain". Shante‘ and I are both certified members of the Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau facilitated by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County‘s Women‘s Commission and United Family Services! Equally, we are both Domestic Violence Advocates who tirelessly utilize our voices as ―bullhorns‖ on behalf of intimate partner relationships with a goal to promote ―healthy measures of communication that do not equate to violence, in order to build stronger families and promote more efficient communities. We both are "Motivators" and "Coaches" with a passion to inspire, encourage, and empower young ladies and women to overcome ―low self-esteem‖ and low self-image, by constantly re-emphasizing their purpose and self worth.

Shante‘ Cotton is an EXTRA-ordinary woman—beautiful, vibrant, passionate, and wise beyond her years. I feel as if I have known her ALL my life. She is such an inspiration to me because her very presence and essence lights up a room. I encourage you to add this wonderful and powerful memoir, ―Broken Butterfly‖ to your reading chronicles. If you are "broken", it will serve as a reference point to the Source of Mending—the Divine Healer. If your "wing" has already been mended, you will celebrate and rejoice with Shante‘ because she did not let her circumstances cripple her, nor did she accept or settle for her "broken wing"; but she survived, thrived, and overcame each obstacle placed before her! Because of her "endurance of the process", she is now healed and soaring higher…and there is so much that God, the "Great Mender" still has enstore for her! "Eyes" have not seen neither has "ears" heard, that which God has formulated and designed specifically for her! Shante‘, "Soar High" to your highest point of elevation; I offer congratulations on becoming an "accomplished" author"! So proud of you!

Vickie L. Evans is a woman who wears many hats: playwright of the domestic violence awareness, award-winning stage play "A Change Is Gonna Come"; Best-selling author of two books, ―Know Your Worth (Overcoming the Dragon of Low Self-Esteem) –a self esteem building memoir; and "The Art of Forgiving" – a relationship building memoir; Self-Esteem Coach; Ordained Minister; and President of Soaring High Productions – a dual mission entertainment company which serves as: 1) a self-publishing broker for independent authors, providing step-by-step publication services from manuscript formation to book creation, and 2) a theatrical production and talent development agency for performing artist and playwrights. For more information, visit her websites: www.forgiven2.com and www.knowurworth.com.