A Mother’s Bouquet

 

A Mother’s Bouquet

My wife’s favorite color is yellow.  Her favorite flower, not surprisingly, is a yellow rose.  We have a yellow rose planted in the yard, but it has not yet stirred from its winter sleep.  Like Michelle, it prefers to “sleep in”.

Fortunately, for me, my yard always comes through for me for Mother’s Day.  The dandelions have reached full spring bloom.  There are reasons why I think that the dandelion is the perfect flower to celebrate moms.

Dandelions are economical.  My dad spent a small fortune on keeping dandelions out of his yard.  He was fairly successful; growing up, our yard was practically weedless.  I, on the other hand invest nothing in weed killers and I am rewarded with a carpet of yellow blossoms.

Dandelions are environmentally friendly.  Since I don’t spread herbicides or pesticides I can let my grandchildren run through the yard without worrying about any long-term health problems.  Our yard is also an oasis for pollinators.  Flying flowers, in the form of butterflies, are common.    

Dandelions are tenacious; their beauty will not be denied.  Case in point, please see the picture of the dandelion that is flowering right up out of the limestone steps in my daughter’s yard.  I have seen dandelions sprouting up through cracks in concrete, and I have even seen dandelions push up through black top roads. 

Dandelions provide free natural cosmetics for children.  If you have come across children smearing  yellow lines on their faces and the backs of their hands, you’d be hard-pressed not to smile.  The bonus here is that dandelions can be good for your disposition; it does you good to smile more.

Dandelions are edible.  You can make wine from the flowers.  You can eat the leaves in your salad.  You can even dry down the thick tuber root and then steep it for tea.  The gold finches will go most people one better, because they eat the seeds.  An added bonus then is that dandelions that have gone to seed will attract gold finches to your yard.

Dandelions are fun and instructive for children.  OK, there was a somewhat morbid ditty we used to say as children about heads popping off, but beyond that, what child doesn’t enjoy blowing on a dandelion that has gone to seed to watch the little parachutes drift off into the breeze.  Consider dandelion fluff ready inspiration with no extra charge for the giggles.

Dandelions are low maintenance.  I don’t have to plant them.  I don’t have to water them.  I don’t have to weed them (that would be counter-intuitive).  If they get too tall I just mow them over and they’ll have fresh blooms sometimes as early as tomorrow.  I have a number of honest-to-gosh hardy perennial flowers and bushes in the yard, but none of them can match the dandelion for ease of maintenance. 

Dandelions are homegrown.  I don’t have to drive into town and fight the crowds at the green house just to wait in the checkout line.

Dandelions are no muss or fuss.  I don’t even have to pick them, or fill vases with them; I just direct her attention to the back and side yards.  She knows that I did it, or didn’t do it, just for her.

Dandelions are practical.  Now, perhaps this point doesn’t help you, but my wife is known for giving practical gifts.  High school graduates amongst our friends and family always get a clothes basket, a laundry bag and a set of towels.  She once gave her grandmother a set of fancy padded hangers (I have no idea what they were used for).  I thought it was a bit strange, but her grandmother was thrilled.  I guess they were both being practical.   

Dandelions teach love.  When a child comes across a lawn full of yellow dandelions, they are immediately inspired to pick a hand-sized bouquet for their mother.  It is one time when all mothers hear an excited, “Mom!  Mom! Mom!” and they know that they don’t have to kiss the hurt, or referee the argument.  They just have to smile, receive the present and feel loved.

Lastly, as mentioned firstly, they match perfectly with my wife’s favorite color.  I can only thank God for that one.  Just between you and me, I think the lawns of Heaven are covered with dandelions.

Happy Mother’s Day!

His Peace <><

Deacon Dan