The Best Surprise I’ve Ever Received
Written by Ruthie Suarez
The summer before my sophomore year of college was one of the hardest times of my life. My grandfather passed away from liver cancer, and even though we all knew he was getting weaker, it still didn’t feel real when it happened. He was someone who had always been there for me, someone who made me feel safe and loved. When he passed, I felt like something inside me went quiet, and going back to school with all that sadness still fresh was really hard.
A few months later, I came home for the weekend. I was tired from classes and honestly just trying to get through the days. When I got home, I walked up to the front yard like I always do, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. But then I saw it.
Right there in the garden, sitting gently on one of the flowers, was a butterfly. It wasn’t flying around or moving away when I walked closer. It was just there, still and calm, like it was waiting for me.
I froze because it felt different. Growing up Filipino, my family always talked about how butterflies and moths represent a loved one visiting you after they’ve passed away. My mom and Lola always said that if a butterfly shows up in a moment where you really need comfort, it means someone you love is saying hello. It means they’re still watching over you.
And in that moment, I knew. It felt like my grandfather was letting me know he hadn’t left me. He might not be here physically anymore, but he was still around in the ways that mattered. After months of feeling lost and heavy, seeing that butterfly brought me so much comfort. It was like he was reminding me that I wasn’t alone and that he was still guiding me.
That butterfly was the best surprise I have ever received. Not because it was big or planned, but because it showed up at exactly the right time, in the most gentle way possible.
As Thanksgiving comes around, I think about that moment a lot. I think about how grateful I am for my family, our traditions, and the way our culture helps us stay connected to the people we love even after they pass. I’m thankful for the time I had with my grandfather, and I’m thankful for the reminder that he’s still with me. Love doesn’t just disappear. Sometimes it shows up in small signs when you need it most.
And for me, it came as a butterfly in the garden.
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