I received this very touching letter from Richard Grund reflecting back on the events of one year ago. With his permission I reprint it in its entirety. Richard please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you on this sad day – Simon and Jan Barrett
Butterflies in Heaven
A Year Ago Today
December 11, 2009
By Richard J Grund
When President Roosevelt called December 7, 1941 a “date which will live in infamy†I had little personal experience with the reality of that statement. He meant that the day would always have a bad name and be notorious in history. And, he was correct. It was and is.
December 11, 2008 (a Thursday) will hold that status in our lives. It’s the day our worst fears were confirmed and the nightmare was no longer just a dream. It was the day Caylee Marie Anthony was found. Well, that’s actually not true. Caylee was in Heaven. It was the day the remains of her mortal body were found. It was the day we knew that we would have to wait until Heaven to see her again. Without the assurance of Heaven and her being there it would have been the day that all hope was lost.
Don’t get me wrong, we wanted it to be different. There was hope the facts were wrong. There was faith and love to help block out the reality being presented to us. The hope of her being somewhere safe and hidden was lost that day. The hope of seeing her in this earthly realm was lost that day. And, the hope of a future for this bright shining star was lost that day. The truth is, no one who has been to Heaven ever wanted to come back and I do not believe she would have been any different. The ever present music for her to bop and dance to would have held her there.  The bright green fields, flowers, perfect butterflies and the ever present feeling of safety and love would make her forget all about here. I cannot blame her. Psalm 16:11 tell us, In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Once she grabbed His nail pierced hand when He greeted her we were a distant memory. Would you want to leave that? I wouldn’t.
Over this past year I’ve had past dreams, words and experiences brought to my remembrance. I will not list or detail them except to say that God was not caught off guard by this. He knew what would happen before she was born. He knew THIS would happen. And, in His infinite love and mercy for us, He gave her to us anyway. God is never surprised by what happens. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).  He knew who, what, when and where. He taught us that for everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3) and her season was a short one. She was meant to teach us many lessons and, for whatever reason, her time here was short.
In many ways, she was too good for this world. Most innocents like her are. Before this world could taint her, ruin her and mold her into its image she was sent home. Selfishly, I wish it were not so. I wish we could all have her for a little while longer but He knows better than I what is right and to Him, this was allowed. I know there are many people that will not understand that or His ways. But, I can pray you come to that understanding.
Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV) 8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,†says the LORD.
Does that mean we don’t wail and plead with Him to change the way things are? No, our frail humanity does that. Yet, in all things we have to trust that this Father does know best.
Although it may have actually happened 6-months earlier, on December 11, 2008 it was confirmed to us that we ran out of time with one of His butterflies. Her wings would flutter to the breeze of this world no longer. Her time was short but it was ever so colorful and memorable.
With all due respect to Eric Clapton, I know that there are no tears in Heaven. There is only love, peace, joy and Caylee’s laughter.
And, I know there are butterflies in Heaven that live forever!
We will always love you Caylee.
We will always miss you.
We will see you again.
10 users commented in " Caylee Anthony – Butterflies In Heaven – Richard Grund Reflects "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThis is so beautiful. Praying for Mr. Grund and your family. You can feel the love you all have for Caylee and that closure really never closes entirely. You are right though. You will see her again. God Bless you.
I’m sorry, but to say that God “knows” horrible things are going to happen, but lets them happen anyway, is SO insulting to the true God! And it’s something that “preachers” do ALL the time. They malign the truth about God in their ignorance. God is LOVE (1 John 4:8) and does NOT cause wicked things to happen. (James 1:13) He also does NOT “know” every wicked thing that Satan is going to cause people to do, such as what poor Caylee’s mother did to her. God may HAVE the ability to know the future, but he does not choose to foresee EVERYTHING people will do. What sense would it make to give us “free will”, if everything was predestined anyway? None.
Some people think they know the Bible, but they really don’t know it at all. Sad, but true. Like Richard Grund, such ones may MEAN WELL, but they’ve got it all wrong, and they really need to pray for true knowledge of God. It IS out there. (Daniel 12:4, 9-10)
Contrary to popular belief (thanks to false religious teachings), Caylee is NOT in heaven, floating around like a butterfly, but is currently in the grave, awaiting a RESURRECTION. The scriptures assure us of that. (John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15) We WILL see her again, but that reunion will come right here on earth. After all, God created the earth for mankind to live on FOREVER, according to His word. (Psalm 37:29) Yes, SOME will go to heaven, to rule over the earth with Jesus. (Rev 5:9-10) The Bible even gives the number of those co-rulers. (Rev 14:1 & 3) But MOST of the billions who have lived and died will return to live right here, on a perfect paradise earth.
I’m sorry if some may be offended. I truly sympathize with Mr. Grund and his son, and all those who have been affected by this tragic event. But I could not sit idly by and say nothing when my God is being slandered. Like my leader and role model, Jesus Christ, I must speak out in defense of my heavenly Father.
May peace be with all of you.
i don’t believe Caylee is in her grave sorry i think she is in heaven i don’t believe god would deny an innocent child heaven, especially one that was murdered and to say a person knows for an absolute fact what god is thinking or what he is gonna do is wrong, i think even he can change his mind on things also the bible was written by many different people over long amounts of time .i dont doubt gods word but what really is gods word? and not the people that wrote it ..so dont even think i dont believe in god because i truely do .. its fellow man im not so sure of
People SAY they believe in God, and they even claim to believe in the Bible, but they don’t want to listen to what it says.
Jesus said, “The hour is coming in which all those IN THE MEMORIAL TOMBS will hear his voice and come out”. (John 5:28) Why would Jesus say this if it was true that “all good people go to heaven”? And, why would Jesus resurrect his friend Lazarus (after he was dead for a few days), if Lazarus had already gone to heaven? Wouldn’t Lazarus have complained?
God gave us his word so that we could get to know him through it. He has protected his word down through the ages, so that through it, we can know what the truth is. And yet, even people who claim to be “Christian” refuse to believe that the Bible is GOD’s word, but state that it is “man-made”. Yes, men may have written down the words, but they are the words that God directed them to write, much as a CEO would dictate a letter to his secretary. “All scripture is inspired of God” says 2 Timothy 3:16. Too bad that so many do not believe this.
Yes, Caylee is absent from the body and with the Lord. I don’t know if God chooses to know everything that will happen to everyone before they’re born or not, but God can do anything. However, I don’t understand why Mr. Grund decides this after dreams and whatnot that he won’t go into at this time. All the answers are in the Bible for all to see, but I’m glad he’s gotten comfort. At least he didn’t criticize Cindy in this writing as in all others I’ve read and heard.
Enough!!! God is different to everyone according to individual beliefs. Mr Gund wrote what was in his heart, so let it be. What is important now is justice for the murder of that little princess. I hope it comes swift and hard and that the judge rules for the prosecution because we all know who the murderer is and she must pay. The tears she sheds in court are for her own sorry bum and for no one else.
Simon, thank you for posting this but if the comments continue down this road I would suggest you take it down. There are so many out there more concerned about their opinions or petty problems that they don’t just let people be.
Truthfinder – any time you wish to have a theological discussion look me up. This is neither the time or place to post your erroneous commentary. If you do look me up do some homework on the thief on the cross and the requirements of outer darkness. And, please do some more homework on the nature and character of the Father. His permissive will is a ever present topic in the Bible.
Viola – you missed the point of this entirely and what Casey’s mother has to do with this I don’t know. She’s not mentioned here or anything I write.
Thanks again Simon and God bless!
Mr. Grund,
Why should Simon take down the post? Surely you were familiar with the blogging atmosphere when you consented. People ARE allowed to air their interpretations of what is published here at BNN. No one has to agree with the contents of any MAN’S heart.
I would hope that everyone remember that Mr. Grund was speaking from his heart and stating HIS beliefs about something very painful to him. Would you stand up in the middle of a funeral and spout your contrary views? I doubt it because you would want to maintain some amount of dignity and allow the family to mourn in peace. Why should this be any different? We all have differing ideas and interpretations of the Bible but IMO THIS is not the place to discuss them. Mr. Grund was kind enough to share his inner thoughts with us about the loss of Caylee who we here hold dear as well. I would respectfully request that any contrary thoughts we might have in regard to his beliefs be kept to ourselves or perhaps posted elsewhere. Maybe Simon or Jan could create a place for our religious views to be shared and debated (although I’m afraid that too would turn ugly). Striking out in anger and using abusive tones and words will certainly never win anyone over to your way of thinking, much less bring someone to the Lord. I’m pretty sure that would NEVER be God’s preferred method no matter WHAT you believe. Perhaps we can all take a moment and think how we would feel if we wrote a very heartfelt tribute to a loved one who was no longer living and instead of receiving support and condolences from those we shared with, we received criticism and contempt. There is a time and place for every debate but THIS is neither the time OR the place to vigorously share our religious views. Let this be what it is….a tribute to Caylee. Embrace it for what it is and show a little class and compassion while you’re at it.
Mr. Grund, I sincerely apologize for the comments made by others which I’m sure were painful to you. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss and great appreciation for the words you shared with us for Caylee. No matter how all of our views may differ on topics of religion, one thing we can agree on is Caylee was taken from us all too soon and the pain for those who knew her must be unimaginable. I pray that God wraps you in his loving arms and gives you the strength to carry on in Caylee’s absence.
Again, I truly am sorry if any comments here offended or upset you. We are a passionate bunch and sometimes I’m afraid we all may forget our manners on occassion. Doesn’t make us right….just human. I pray you can forgive us.
I wept shamelesly as I read this article. Huge tears full of pain, sadness and all the “Never-will-be”. We’ll never get to see her
1st day of school
riding her bike for the first time
1st school dance
1st date
Graduation from high school then college.
Her wedding day
Her own sweet angel babies.
So so many, too many to list. But I know you guys get it, you understand.
I can’t continue…I’ll be back later
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