This week as the purple petals on my favorite flowers finally emerged, we learned once again the depths of profound beauty and terrible passion Mother Nature offers.
I dusted off my favorite bike and took a late afternoon ride through the city Sunday afternoon, pausing occasionally to smell the lilacs and to photograph spring’s glorious arrival in Appleton. Like any gorgeous prima donna, spring arrived fashionably late to Wisconsin and we, her besotted suitors, welcomed her gladly. Well-trained hosts, we ignored the ice-burned patches in our grass and jagged tree edges left by storm-felled branches. We opened pale arms, squinted at an unfamiliar sun and said with our skateboard rattles, racquet thunks, playground squeaks, and lawn mower hums, “Welcome Spring! We’re so glad to have you back.”
A friend and kindred spirit posted this giddy message on her Facebook wall, “It’s raining apple blossoms in my front yard and a hummingbird just buzzed by my window to say hello!”
I can’t help but think of Robert Herrick’s poem when I consider the awful juxtaposition of our long-awaited, lovely spring day and the horrible destruction wrought by the Oklahoma tornado not 24 hours later.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old time is still a flying and this same flower that smiles today tomorrow will be dying.
Let’s take time to breathe in the fleeting smell the lilacs and, if you’re able, join me in sending support to Oklahoma through the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.
Our hearts are with you, Oklahoma, and our prayers are too.
I now want to make a free library in front of my house. So cool!