Dozens of butterflies were supposed to be released Tuesday in memory of loved ones at AseraCare Hospice’s annual “A Butterfly to Remember” ceremony, but pink and white balloons were released instead.

The ceremony, which is in its third year, gives AseraCare and the many families they helped a chance to honor and remember the people they cared for over the past 12 months.

“Having them come and remember their loved ones and let them know that they’re gone but never forgotten, that they continue to live on in our memories and our thoughts, and let them know that we’re still here for them matters to us,” said Sheila Kendall, director of clinical services.

AseraCare provides hospice services, medicine and medical equipment for people that are terminally ill.

“We have a mission to serve, and we have a mission and a vision to put our patients and their families first,” Kendall said. “I hope this event represented that we are trying to love our mission. It is about the patients and the families.”

But whether it was balloons or butterflies, the families and the nurses that cared for the 67 people that were honored Tuesday had one thought in mind — their loved one.

When Kendall told the families that were in attendance that the butterflies did not make it to Selma in time for the release, a glimmer of hope entered the room.

A small butterfly flew into the ballroom at the St. James Hotel and landed on one of the many tables that filled the room. The butterfly’s appearance was shortly followed by the arrival of the balloons.

“I truly believe that God visits us when we are in a good place, and I think that was just his sign of saying that even though you might not have your butterflies, I’ll send you a butterfly to represent that I have put my seal or my blessing on this event,” Kendall said. “To me it meant not only were the loved ones here, but the doctor of all doctors, the nurse of all nurses, was also here.”

Each name of the 67 people that spent their last days in care of AseraCare Hospice was called out, and a candle was lit in their memory.

“We just appreciate them for doing such a thing for us in remembrance of our loved one,” said Sarah Allen, who was there to remember her brother Ike Clemon. “He’s just been gone since September. We’re just happy that they are doing things for us and thinking of us.”

Allen was one of the many family members that attended the ceremony.

“It is kind of heart touching. It is emotional being that I spend most of my day in the office,” Kendall said.

“I’ve talked to them on the phone. I’ve read about their loved one through the chart, the vital signs, the nurses notes and the social worker’s notes.”

AseraCare Hospice’s main office has moved from Selma, but the majority of their employees still work in the Queen City.

“We just relocated our brick and mortar office to Prattville, but we are still Selma rooted and grounded,” Kendall said. “At least 95 percent of our employees live here. They raise their families here; they pay their taxes here; and we love Selma.”