And then the day came,
when the risk
to remain tight
in a bud
was more painful
than the risk
it took
to Blossom.

Anaïs Nin

It’s that time of year when the Pear trees are in full bloom, and the street on which I live, lined with dozens of Pear tress, looks like a parade of white blossoms. The weeping cherry tree across the street from my house looked like a cotton candy pink umbrella until today, in the wind, the petals have been fluttering down, swirling onto the greening grass.

I love the flowers which bloom first, the ones which remind us that spring really is coming. They are the delicate grace notes which bounce on the chilly breeze, the kind which bring the first scents after a long and trying winter.

I haven’t planted daffodils yet or tulips, or any bulbs really, since my family and I moved into this house after our move back from Prague two years ago, but it is one of my goals for this fall. I love the the old varieties of daffodils which have more fragrance and unruly ruffles than the ordinary yellow ones. They’re enchanting.

It’s true; I love spring.

 

To Blossom

Anais Nin’s poem “Risk”, above, is one which has endless meaning to me.

It’s true. A bud must risk opening in order to bloom.

The same goes for us as humans.

It is easier to stay closed tight, not risking, not sharing, keeping ourselves tucked neatly inside, safe.

A flower must bloom.

A butterfly must fly.

A human being must take risks to live.

She must spread her wings and venture past her nest. She must unfurl her colors petal by petal. Because who knows how high and far and long she can fly until she tries. And who knows how beautiful a flower might be until it blooms.

And blooming, and making the world a more beautiful place is a flower’s purpose.

Living fully with our colors and wings unfurled is our purpose.

As Anais Nin said, we were made to blossom.

 

 

This morning, another tree has burst into bloom, and the perennials and roses planted in my backyard garden are filling out with leaves. It’s beginning to look like a world which is alive. Thank goodness, after this winter. I look forward to rediscovering the flowers as they begin to bloom, one by one.

What flowers have you planted this year? Which blooms are you most looking forward to?