This summer, more than 150 butterflies have begun their lives in the homes of people across the Northwoods-each delivered as a delicate chrysalis among a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Pat Robinson Trapp, the organizer of this unique effort to raise awareness of and funds for Dr. Kate Hospice, says she expects another 40 to be available yet this fall.

Each spring, monarch butterflies migrate north from central Mexico to our region. They are attracted to the milkweed garden of Robinson Trapp, the founder of My Monarch Butterfly Ministry in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. As they lay their eggs, Pat carefully protects them. The caterpillar hatches from its egg, grows to maturity and eventually forms a chrysalis.

Years ago, as she was working with Dr. Kate Hospice as the spiritual counselor, Pat began researching the life cycle of the monarch butterfly on behalf of one of the hospice patients. Through her work, she made the connection between their transformation from caterpillar into beautiful winged creature to the transitions human beings face through the cycles of our own lives.

Eventually, she began creating Butterfly Bouquets-carefully crafted bouquets of fresh flowers and greens, each with a viable monarch chrysalis that has been nurtured from egg through its caterpillar life. Within days after receiving the bouquet, the chrysalis becomes transparent and a monarch butterfly emerges for the recipient to observe, gently appreciate, and then set free. This year, these bouquets are being sold to benefit patients and families served by Dr. Kate Hospice/Ministry Home Care.

There will be a free public presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m., at the Lakeland Senior Center featuring Robinson Trapp sharing her years of working with and learning from the butterflies. Everyone is invited to attend, and those who’ve been privileged to experience a Butterfly Bouquet this summer are encouraged to join in sharing their own stories.

To order a bouquet, visit ministryhomecare.org and click on the Butterfly Bouquet icon, or call (800) 234-3542 during office hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday though Friday). Orders are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Since availability cannot be guaranteed, payment is not accepted until the bouquet is received.