Why I Believe

A few weeks ago I received very disappointing news...I went to sit on the back porch, being outside - with the birds and squirrels, that comforts me. Most of you remember the events of last summer;the caterpillar Eileen found, it's well chronicled journey through the stages of a cocoon, than a chrysalis, until a beautiful butterfly emerged. Her name was Hope. Well on this day a few weeks ago, as I was pondering the sum of my parts a Monarch butterfly, the first I'd seen this year lit on the railing beside me. In seeing "Hope", I was reminded our challenges are more often opportunities for growth & we should never give up hope. Everyday since I have watched a butterfly flit about me. Each time reminding me the power of holding on to hope...even when doing so defies logic - though I have never been a logical person. The path of my life required me either to be bitter and angry or hold on to faith and hope. My niece Jessica, believes Cardinals are Grandma Murtagh keeping an eye on us - we see red Cardinals everyday - yes, I know it is birthing season for butterflies...that would be logic! Instead, I believe "Hope" had sent her friends to remind me I should continue believing in the power of hope. This week I received good news, sitting on the back porch, I was sending a text to Eileen sharing the good news - when I looked up, there on the table, no more than 6 inches from me a Monarch butterfly sat. She stayed there a good minute or so. Through my tears I offered thanks to God & to so many people who pray for me and keep me in their thoughts. So this is why I believe - a butterfly, sat vigil with me- reminding me that hope can actually move mountains, it can sustain us though our darkest hours, and yes hope alone can make the improbable absolute reality. It is easy to forget to remember how a seed of hope can bloom into a bushel of possibility, watering our souls - most of our days our filled with work & worries...we have little time to watch a caterpillar become a butterfly - I think we need to make the time. Life is truly wonderful. Miracles happen all the time, prayers are answered, butterflies are born. My hope for all of you would be for you to see a lost loved one in a bird or find hope in a butterfly!