Sentimental symbolism- Comfort or Self-dillusion

I'm not essentially a sentimental person, but I've experienced a couple of quite moving moments in my life. It just fascinates me that when a pivotal moment happens some people lose all reality, and start attaching meaning to the most banal or simple of things. For example when my nan died (to whom I was very close), a red admiral butterfly appeared at her funeral- I was only 4 at the time and didn't give it much thought. However, my family have found that on most subsequent 'family events' a red admiral butterfly makes an appearance; once even in Winter. The thought that my nan might be 'visiting' us gives me much comfort, although many individuals would discount the experience as "wishful thinking". I'm not even sure if I truly believe that this apparition is symbolic, being a rational person- its just pleasant to dream of a spiritual presence existing after the body has failed. Actually, maybe being rational and clinical all the time is not helpful because it keeps us insensitive to soulful experiences. What do you think then? Have you a comforting symbol that appears in your life- perhaps representative of a loved one? Are these self-constructed? Does it matter? Oh fuck it, anything that gives us peace of mind and comfort must surely be a good thing.