When I was five, I loved dandelions just as much as I loved Barbies, and that’s saying a lot.
Whenever I would find one, I would beg my mom to put it in a vase, so it could become our centerpiece. The gardener in her would always let out a sigh, explain how dandelions are weeds, not flowers, and then the mother in her would smile and put it in a vase anyway.
I could never understand why it mattered that they were weeds. They were beautiful with fragile golden petals and that was all that I cared about.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a weed as “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth.” Dandelions grow quickly, having roots that can extend up to 10 feet under the ground. When they’re pulled up, unless the deepest roots are removed, the resilient plant will grow back even stronger than before. Once its time has come, the dandelion will turn into a white wisp. Carried by the wish of a wondering child or the soaring wind, the seeds will quickly disperse, going on to create new life in golden flowers.
Maybe my innocent zeal for dandelions as a child was foolish. But, maybe it was wise. The more I think about dandelions, the more I want to be like one.
You see, I want to be deeply rooted in truth and compassion. I want to be resilient, standing strong when I face opposition.
To be unwanted and grow because of it, to be delicate but strong all in one breath, to be chopped down only to become more and more determined, again and again, growing deeper each time...
And finally, when it’s my time, I hope that my legacy inspires, allowing others to wish and dream for themselves.
Whenever I would find one, I would beg my mom to put it in a vase, so it could become our centerpiece. The gardener in her would always let out a sigh, explain how dandelions are weeds, not flowers, and then the mother in her would smile and put it in a vase anyway.
I could never understand why it mattered that they were weeds. They were beautiful with fragile golden petals and that was all that I cared about.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a weed as “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth.” Dandelions grow quickly, having roots that can extend up to 10 feet under the ground. When they’re pulled up, unless the deepest roots are removed, the resilient plant will grow back even stronger than before. Once its time has come, the dandelion will turn into a white wisp. Carried by the wish of a wondering child or the soaring wind, the seeds will quickly disperse, going on to create new life in golden flowers.
Maybe my innocent zeal for dandelions as a child was foolish. But, maybe it was wise. The more I think about dandelions, the more I want to be like one.
You see, I want to be deeply rooted in truth and compassion. I want to be resilient, standing strong when I face opposition.
To be unwanted and grow because of it, to be delicate but strong all in one breath, to be chopped down only to become more and more determined, again and again, growing deeper each time...
And finally, when it’s my time, I hope that my legacy inspires, allowing others to wish and dream for themselves.
Love this!
ReplyDeleteDandelions may be weeds, but they are still quite pretty, and resilient at that. I may not share that same admiration of them, but I can definitely see where you're coming from. Wise words to say right there.
ReplyDeleteYou really had a deep connection to a seemingly small childhood memory. There was always something so whimsical about dandelions when we were children and it seems to me that feeling never really faded in your mind.
ReplyDelete