07/26/2026
Hello Everyone
I mentioned when I posted the hoodies that I would post the meaning below is the meaning.
Thanks to Dennis for putting this together, you can also look at our website clwf.org
There is so much symbolism here that I, honestly, felt overwhelmed, but in a good way… almost comforted.
This is the meaning behind the order of the words. We arranged them as if they were being spoken by Chris… carried on the butterflies that rise from his silhouette. Each butterfly represents a piece of him: his love, his memories, and the parts of him that continue even though he’s gone. The words follow the path of what he would want you to feel first, and what he would hope you grow into over time. It’s meant to reflect the message he would give if he could still speak: a message of comfort, release, and the strength he’d want you to carry forward.
THE MEANING OF THE ORDER… WITH THE BUTTERFLIES INCLUDED
Think of the butterflies as pieces of him… memories, love, lessons, moments… lifting out of the silhouette and becoming messages he’s sending forward. Butterflies symbolize transformation, release, and the parts of someone that continue even after they’re gone.
The order of the words reflects what he would want you to hold onto first, and what he would want you to grow into over time.
LOVED
This is the first butterfly… the one that matters most.
If he could say only one thing, it would be: “You were loved. You are loved. My leaving doesn’t erase that.”
It’s the emotional anchor for everything that follows.
CONNECTED
The second butterfly says: “You are not alone. You still have people. You still have me in the ways that matter.”
This counters the isolation that su***de leaves behind.
It’s a reminder that the thread isn’t broken… it’s changed.
KIND
This butterfly is soft, gentle, and human.
It’s him saying: “Stay kind - to others, but especially to yourself.”
Grief can make people hard on themselves. He wouldn’t want that.
BALANCED
This butterfly is about steadiness.
“Find your footing. Don’t let my loss pull you off center.”
It’s a wish for emotional stability, not perfection.
HAPPY
This butterfly is small but bright.
It’s not a command to “move on.”
It’s him whispering: “I still want happiness for you. You deserve moments of light.”
BLESSED
This butterfly carries gratitude.
“I hope you can still see the good in your life. I hope you feel supported.”
It’s a reminder that blessings still exist, even in pain.
BEAUTIFUL
This butterfly is about how he saw you… not appearance, but spirit.
“You are beautiful in how you love, how you care, how you keep going.”
Placed here so it feels earned, not superficial.
FREE
This butterfly is about release.
“Be free from guilt. Free from blame. Free from the weight of my choice.”
It’s one of the most important messages a lost loved one would want to give.
CONFIDENT
This butterfly is about identity.
“Trust yourself. You’re allowed to keep living boldly.”
Confidence after loss is hard… he’d want you to reclaim it.
FOCUSED
This butterfly is about direction.
“Stay with your purpose. Stay with your people. Stay with your life.”
It’s a gentle push toward forward motion.
POSITIVE
This butterfly is about perspective.
“Keep looking for light, even small light.”
Not toxic positivity… just a reminder that hope is still allowed.
RESILIENT
The final butterfly… the one that rises the highest.
It represents what he hopes you become through all of this: Resilient. Not unbreakable… just able to bend, heal, and continue.
The ending here says: “What happened to me doesn’t have to be the end of you. Stay.”
I just wanted you to have this, because it helped me see the image differently… not as an ending, but as something of Chris that still moves, still speaks, still reaches forward.
I hope it gives you even a moment of peace.
Thanks,
