Lehigh Acres author Olivia Latras’ 150-word life story is currently a Top 100 public vote contender in the “Your Life The Reader’s Digest Version” contest at Facebook.com/ReadersDigest.

Latras is trending as one of the most popular submissions and has the chance to be published in an upcoming issue of Reader’s Digest magazine. Editors will select the grand prize winner and 10 runners-up from the Top 100 public vote entrants, said spokeswoman Kristen McGuire. You are encouraged to keep Latras in the Top 100 by voting online at facebook.com/ReadersDigest.

Her story:

“Today” by Olivia Latras

“I was in awe as I looked around my yard; there were hundreds of butterflies fluttering around following each other from time to time. I was overwhelmed by the magical view and quickly went for my camera to take a couple of shots.

As I walked around I spotted one with bright red wings, it looked majestic and exotic which made it stand out from the rest.

“I went after it for 3 5 10 minutes but it would fly away as soon as it felt my presence. I was sweating and began to feel the heat in my body but I kept thinking that persistence will prevail and I will eventually get the shot.

“In the end I didn’t; it flew over the fence and quickly disappeared into the woods but it didn’t matter to me because I got to see it living in the moment, making each second count as if it knew it will soon be over. Happiness takes many forms and today it came as a butterfly.”

This is all part of the Reader’s Digest continual effort to enrich and simplify Americans’ lives, McGuire said. This particular project “Your Life…The Reader’s Digest Version” celebrates the launch of the new book, “Life… The Reader’s Digest Version,” which is also the first of a new series, by creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people’s personal stories to be widely read and for the opportunity of one story to be published in Reader’s Digest to its more than 30 million readers, plus be the recipient of a major cash award.

Several runner-up stories will also receive attention and cash prizes. Stories will be voted on by consumers and winners will ultimately be selected from the Top 100 by Reader’s Digest editors. Americans can vote for and submit 150-word stories about lessons, simple advice, funny moments and other life stories at facebook.com/ReadersDigest.