Butterfly People of Joplin
Do you remember what happened on May 22, 2011? If you lived in Joplin, Missouri you probably do. It was on this day that a F5 tornado ripped through the small town, resulting in the destruction of 900 homes, and over 160 people. Not to mention, all those who were injured. But, something else arose from this devastating day: the butterfly people
Seen by primarily children, the lore of the butterfly people began to spread throughout the community. Many children, from all different neighborhoods and schools and social groups, told stories of small, human-like creatures with beautiful wings. These creatures were said to hover over child, and friend families, and were colorful and gave the sensation of protection.
Many children, after the roofs of their homes were torn away, claimed to see the butterfly people descend and their wings extend as they protected them. Several of these stories were confirmed to have a child miraculously survive something that would have taken them away, had they only been an inch or two in a different direction.
According to the Daily Herald, “About one half of the children were counseled at Joplin Child Trauma Treatment Centers set up in the schools afterwards. The clinical director Dawnielle Robinson heard these stories first hand from many different children. Many of these children stated that they somehow knew these “butterfly people” were there to calm them and help keep them safe.
Some, of course, claim that the children were just mass-hallucinating as a stress response. Or, perhaps they had manifested their own colorful versions of angels. However, this is complicated by a small number of adults who also saw the butterfly people.
Many of the children, now adults or nearly adults in 2021, stand by the fact that they saw some kind of being that was human-like, but not human. Some describe them as angels, some describe them as merely a feeling and a beautiful, glittering wing. Either way, the comfort that the butterfly people provided were many of these children’s only bright spot for the tough weeks and months ahead.
In Joplin today, a mural titled Butterfly Effect: Dreams Take Flight covers one wall of the Dixie Printing building at 15th and Main streets.
Thanks to Seth H for the blogstonishing suggestion!
The above image was taken by the National Weather Service and depicts the tornado in 2011. It is in the public domain.