Butterflies Honor Loved Ones

Jaden Hamamura, 5, chases a fluttering monarch butterfly during the Nathan Adelson Hospice's "Celebration of Life" butterfly release at UNLV on Sunday, April 27, 2014. The annual event, which released over 500 butterflies, allows participants who have lost loved ones to have the opportunity to celebrate their memories and honor them. The premise of the butterfly release is based on a Native American legend for carrying wishes to the heavens. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A monarch butterfly is shared among young visitors to the Nathan Adelson Hospice's "Celebration of Life" butterfly release at UNLV on Sunday, April 27, 2014. The annual event allows participants who have lost loved ones to have the opportunity to celebrate their memories and honor them. The premise of the butterfly release is based on a Native American legend for carrying wishes to the heavens. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Maylee DeLee, left, shares a butterfly with her brother Mason DeLee while the two attended the Nathan Adelson Hospice's "Celebration of Life" butterfly release at UNLV on Sunday, April 27, 2014. The annual event allows participants who have lost loved ones to have the opportunity to celebrate their memories and honor them. The premise of the butterfly release is based on a Native American legend for carrying wishes to the heavens. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cookie Brinkmeyer cries as she sees a monarch butterfly land on her sleeve during annual the Nathan Adelson Hospice's "Celebration of Life" butterfly release at UNLV on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Brinkmeyer believed that the butterfly was a sign from her recently passed husband. The premise of the butterfly release is based on a Native American legend for carrying wishes to the heavens. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Carol Willmann, left, consoles her friend, Cookie Brinkmeyer, who recently lost her husband, as the two watch a butterfly fly away during annual the Nathan Adelson Hospice's "Celebration of Life" butterfly release at UNLV on Sunday, April 27, 2014. The event, which released more than 500 butterflies, allows participants who have lost loved ones to have the opportunity to celebrate their memories and honor them. The premise of the butterfly release is based on a Native American legend for carrying wishes to the heavens. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)