Dandelion

Why is is that children think dandelions are so beautiful? They love to pick them and give them as gifts to people they love. It's precious when you look at it from their perspective. But when you look at it from the adult perspective, you're giving someone smelly weeds that get yellow powder everywhere.

I used to pick dandelions for Mom and, although I was bringing her the gift of weeds, she always put them in water and made them the centerpiece for our dinner table. It gave me a satisfaction that I rarely feel anymore; a satisfaction so pure and innocent that I wasn't sure it was possible in adult life. Then, the other night at my waitress job, a precious child showed me that it was possible. It was the day before Mother's Day, so a lot of families were coming in. After one family left, I went to clear off the table. As I was grabbing the pop cans left, I reached for the last Sprite can. I was about to crush it, but then I realized there was a tiny bouquet of dandelions in it. It was so adorable and I wanted to leave them for the next table to enjoy, making them the centerpiece, just like Mom always did.

I don't want to get rid of dandelions now. I want to keep them all over, to remind me that even a weed, when given simply out of love, can achieve the purest sense of joy.