Thanks for the response, Watchman.
A thought popped into my head just after I posted my previous reply.
My sister and I talked, and she reminded me that a butterfly is symbolic of some form of the afterlife, whether it's a next stage in death or another form of existence.
A butterfly is what becomes of a caterpillar when the caterpillar reaches a certain point. Perhaps Bill had reached that point (old age), and Christine was telling him to be thankful for a full life because others are not so fortunate (picture a squashed caterpillar in your driveway). At least, in my opinion, that is what Christine was trying to convince herself and Bill to believe.
Man, my thoughts are totally centered on Bill and Christine now. I wonder how comforting Gord's lyrics were to her. I believe, without having seen the book, she made a very good choice.
Thanks
jbt
|