On Saturday, June 27, over 100 community members gathered at Whitetail Park in Lafayette for TRU Community Care’s 8th Annual Butterfly Release & Memorial, a morning of remembrance, reflection, and hope.
Families and friends came together to honor the lives of loved ones, sharing in music, moments of silence, and the symbolic release of butterflies – each representing enduring love, transformation, and the connections that continue long after loss.
Executive Vice President Samantha Black welcomed attendees by acknowledging that while every grief journey is unique, no one is meant to grieve alone.
“By gathering in community, we affirm each other’s lostness and say to each other, ‘It’s ok. You are not alone; I am here with you, too.'”
Sam reminded those gathered that “love is never lost, and missing is a part of loving deeply,” offering hope that love remains present even in life’s most difficult moments.
Clinical Manager Vanessa Schmautz expanded on that message through the metaphor of the butterfly’s life cycle, comparing grief to the profound transformation that occurs within the chrysalis.
“Grief is not about letting go of love. It is about allowing love to transform us.”
Drawing from both her professional experience as a grief counselor and a deeply personal family story, Schmautz reflected on how butterflies have become a symbol of continued connection with those who have died. She encouraged attendees to embrace both the light and darkness that accompany grief, reminding them that healing does not mean forgetting.
“Healing is not about forgetting… We learn to carry our loved one with us differently. The love remains woven into who we are.”
The ceremony concluded with the release of hundreds of butterflies into the morning sky, creating a powerful visual reminder that hope, love, and remembrance continue to take flight.
TRU Community Care extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, shared memories, volunteered, and supported this year’s event. We are especially grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who helped make this meaningful morning possible.
For 50 years, TRU Community Care has been honored to walk alongside individuals and families experiencing aging, serious illness, and loss. Through counseling, support groups, memorial events, and other grief services, we remain committed to ensuring that no one has to navigate grief alone.