In researching these encounters, I found they were not unique. Thanks to a tip from an amateur lepidopterist, I learned that red admirals had landed on a boy in California for three consecutive summers from 1969 until 1971.¹⁸ But in my case, the butterflies came to me in several regions and for longer periods.

It’s important to note that I had a lot of help from my wife. It was Muriel who nearly always spotted the butterflies first. It’s not surprising; Muriel sees things in nature that I regularly miss.

I’ve been touched by the reactions of friends and neighbors as well as strangers charmed by my butterfly encounters.¹⁹ People tell me their own stories about friendly birds or other animals.

And just the other evening, two red admirals circled around me in our garden. One landed on my head and shoulders on and off for more than 30 minutes.

What does it all mean? Seven years ago, after the first butterfly landed on me, I thought that a small impossibility had occurred. But given all that has happened since, I feel as though I’ve made a connection. I’m being blessed by butterflies.

————————

18. 多虧一位業(yè)余的昆蟲愛好者相告，我才知道赤蛺蝶也在加利福尼亞州一個(gè)小男孩身上連續(xù)停留了三個(gè)夏天，從1969年到1971年。amateur: 業(yè)余的，非職業(yè)的；lepidopterist: 鱗翅目昆蟲學(xué)家，鱗翅目昆蟲收集者；consecutive: 連續(xù)的。

19. 朋友、鄰居和一些陌生人都會(huì)為我和蝴蝶邂逅的經(jīng)歷所著迷，他們的反應(yīng)令我大為感動(dòng)。

（來(lái)源：英語(yǔ)學(xué)習(xí)雜志 編輯：Zoe）