Chester is a friend of Susie Vanderlip who lives in Orange, California.
Chester and Susie met right after he was born on a milkweed plant in her backyard.
Susie knew nothing about Monarch caterpillar/larvae and how they become butterflies
when they met. All she knew was that Chester was a gorgeous brilliant yellow, black
and white banded caterpillar that ate and ate and ate up the leaves, flowers and seedpods
of her milkweed plant.
Susie had been praying for something beautiful, energetic and fun in her life when Chester
showed up. He ate so ravenously and ran up and down the branches so
fast; he amazed her! So, she began to video tape and photograph Chester and friends
every single day for weeks and weeks, from July through November.
What was equally amazing is that Susie met Chester right after she had a shocking and
unexpected ruptured appendix which required a life-saving surgery and weeks of rest
and recovery. Chester came along at just the right moment to nurse her back to health.
As Chester ate and grew, fought with his siblings, and ran off to make his chrysalis
and become the most beautiful and awesome butterfly, he brought new life, hope, joy and
amazement to Susie's life as well.
Susie wrote his life story as a book and live-action video so everyone can have that same hope, joy and amazement, too!
She also took pictures of his many handsome and beautiful butterfly relatives, other friends
in the garden and made GREETING CARDS and PHOTOS so you can enjoy sharing Monarch
butterflies and caterpillars with your friends, too.
Check them out at Gifts from Susie's Garden
