Dandelions

Welcome children of the Spring,

In your garbs of green and gold,

Lifting up your sun-crowned heads

On the verdant plain and wold.

As a bright and joyous troop

From the breast of earth ye came

Fair and lovely are your cheeks,

With sun-kisses all aflame.

In the dusty streets and lanes,

Where the lowly children play,

There as gentle friends ye smile,

Making brighter life's highway

Dewdrops and the morning sun,

Weave your garments fair and bright,

And we welcome you to-day

As the children of the light.

Children of the earth and sun.

We are slow to understand

All the richness of the gifts

Flowing from our Father's hand.

Were our vision clearer far,

In this sin-dimmed world of ours,

Would we not more thankful be

For the love that sends us flowers?

Welcome, early visitants,

With your sun-crowned golden hair,

With your message to our hearts

Of our Father's loving care.

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

It's funny how something as simple as a dandelion can set off such vivid childhood memories. Having grown up in the country, they were among the first flowers to appear in the green lawns of early spring. Well, many people view the dandelion as a common lawn pest, but to me, it was and always will be a flower. One of my fondest childhood memories is of picking dandelion bouquets and bounding through the kitchen door with a handful of sunny yellow dandelions, presenting them to my beloved grandmother with a big smile saying, 'For you, grandma', and she never let on that, to her, they were a weed. She always acted like I had presented her with the most special gift in the world.

Did you ever pick dandelions from your yard and make wishes before blowing them apart? Find a white-headed dandelion, make a wish, and then try to blow the seeds off with one breath. If the seeds all leave at one blow, your wish will come true. Otherwise it will not. 


*On a sad note, little Avery died yesterday.  That little girl really touched my heart. When I read the news, I was at work, and I couldn't stop the tears. That angel had been placed here for a reason, and she touched the lives of millions of people. For me, her gift was to stop feeling sorry for myself and live each day to the fullest.  May she dance with the angels.  Rest in peace, dear one.