Why The Butterfly
My friend Tosha had this knack for finding joy in life's simplest pleasures. Whether it was soaking up a sunset, feeling the rhythm of the sea, or just spending time with family and friends, she did it wholeheartedly.
Her love was as fierce as her courage during her battle with colon cancer. Much like a butterfly's transformative cycle, Tosha's views on life evolved beautifully. She loved living so much, but she was not afraid to die. She was amazing.
Before leaving Florida in July 2022 and going back to Colorado to be with her family, she made a promise. A butterfly would be her way of telling me she's pain free, at peace and still near after her passing.
Tosha slipped away in early October of 2022. One week later, in the quiet of dawn, my husband spotted a very large and majestic Monarch butterfly perched on our patio screen.
That very patio where we would chat about everything — our spouses, her amazing daughters, our shared dreams, and of course, those funny stories from our 25 plus years of friendship and her on-going fight. It was also the place where she made the butterfly promise.
That morning, as Tampa Bay slowly lit up with the sunrise, the butterfly lingered for over an hour. It felt like Tosha was right there, keeping her word and bringing additional peace to the grief of her passing. What an incredible gift.
That moment changed my perspective on so many things. How precious life is, how important it is to actually live it. To not be afraid, to take the occasional leap of faith and to recognize the potential and the gifts that come from doing so.
Monarch was the obvious name for this new venture, aiming to help small business owners realize their dreams and aspirations through the transformative power digital marketing can provide.
I dream that someday, we will pave the way for a charitable foundation honoring Tosha. Until then, we're laying the groundwork, one step at a time, by assisting others in their pursuits. It's a great way to begin.
