A breezy, bitter night in late December,
a family of four caterpillars struggle.
The family’s aspiration is to turn into beautiful butterflies.
The youngest of four struggles significantly to smile.
She goes to get help.

She’s crying, crushed, concerned…a brain tumor.
Doctors, after Doctors, after Doctors.
Doctors decide the young caterpillar should cocoon to fix her smile.
Knowing the doctors want her to cocoon, the brave, young caterpillar agrees,
knowing she might not be the beautiful butterfly she desires to be.

Waiting, waiting, and more waiting, the four caterpillars survive the cold month.
Waiting for their time to go into a cocoon,
finally, after a break, the caterpillars ready for a change.
Finally, the day has arrived.
It’s time to get into cocoons.

It is the toughest three weeks.
Father, Mother, Brother, all out of the cocoon, fly as Monarchs.
Father: shaking; Mother: scared; Brother: sweating.
Worrying, the three wait for her.
Worrying, she might not make it.

Suddenly, movement inside the cocoon shakes. She kicks, cracking.
Suddenly, this movement changes their lives.
Slowly, the young butterfly escapes the cocoon.
Slowly, vibrant orange wings, and a smile.
Beauty.