Summer is Near! by Susan L.

  As the lilacs' blooms fade, the temperature in the pond outside grows warm enough for the fish to be moved to their summer home. It takes a bit longer, having the bigger aquarium to empty, to catch the fish, clean the tank and fill it again for the fancy goldfish purchased for indoor summer company. It's nice to see the big ones outside swimming lazily around the underwater pot of water lilies. Hopefully they'll make short work of the few mosquito larvae I saw wriggling their way through the water.
  There seems to be a lot more butterflies this spring. Delightful Red Admirals have abounded as well as many smaller ones, names unknown. Perhaps because it's been so dry, more overwintering chrysalises have survived to emerge. Or maybe they are around more because last spring, the lilacs and the apple tree had very few blooms due to a killing frost. This year, they were loaded with flowers which is probably what has attracted them and enables more to survive.
  As well as moving the fish, the boxes in front of the shed got some greenery installed. The struggling butterfly bush got moved to a more sheltered locale as well. My hope is that it will do better in it's new spot.
  I confess there's an emotional struggle going on behind the scenes. This bug has me feeling rather down. It is sapping my strength when I need it the most. Coughing fits leave me exhausted. Overwhelm is lurking around the edges. Please, Lord, help me get well.
  "The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?" Prov 18:14
  PS: In Christ all things are possible.