Surprised by Joy

Grabbing the jacket from the doorknob I felt a flutter.  Startled, I saw a monarch butterfly flying out of the jacket.

When it landed Bob said “get the camera.”  The butterfly remained in one place as if posing, letting me take photos.

When it had flown across the room I saw the cat stomping something.  Fighting the cat, I gently picked up the butterfly I was sure was dead and headed for the patio door.  Wings started rustling and it fell to the floor.  While I restrained a determined cat, the butterfly found it’s way to the patio. Then as quickly as it made it’s appearance it took off, landing briefly in the tree, then flying away.

Life is hard.  Sometimes it seems all we do is struggle and suffer.  Then we are surprised by joy.