I love dandelions. They are awe-inspiring. I know I am supposed to think they are ugly and annoying, but I don’t.
The reasons I love them are the same reasons most people don’t – they are persistent. They persevere. They multiply. They spread.
Yellow dandelions are pretty – the colour is so rich and full of life! They are a sign of warmer weather and of growth and of spring. But, white dandelions? They are my favourite – in them lies so much potential for new life. They are designed to be carried by the wind and grow wherever they land. They never die; one dandelion turns into countless dandelions! And those countless dandelions turn into countless more. The connectedness of it all amazes me.
There is something magical about an organism that can persevere – weeds and bugs. They defy us, which brings a smile to my face and a little satisfaction to my heart.
I hope Q is a little like a dandelion – not caring what people think about him and defying the standards of beauty. I want him to express his potential and persevere when people think he is worthless, or ugly, or inconvenient. I want him to be persistent and show that he belongs in this world and that he ain’t goin’ nowhere no matter what adversity he may face.
I wish to be as brave as a dandelion. As defiant. So sure of my beauty that I feel free to express it and spread it shamelessly.
A dandelion never really dies… it gets carried in the wind and grows wherever it lands.
Edited: After I posted this, the wind picked up and carried away all the little seeds from the flower in the picture (above). Destination: unknown.
Beautiful post.
You know, I was just admirin the seas of yellow dandelions as I walked today, and marveling at the bright yellow carpet. Great post.
Oh how beautiful. I love this metaphor so much. I also love the white fluffy dandelions. Watching them float away is like magic. Luckily I don’t mind the yellow ones either since my daughter collects bouquets of them and leaves them scattered about the house!
Wonderful post!
Have I told you yet that I love the way you think?
I don’t think so, but I am so glad you just did! Thanks!
Whatever excuse you want to use for not weeding your lawn.
Now I feel guilty for weeding mine! I was thinking while I was doing it how much joy I was denying my kids…. They love blowing those ‘flowers’. *sigh* I caved to peer pressure. I suck. Going forth, I will only remove the ‘prickles’ and not the dandelions
Such a lovely and thoughful post. And your photos really show their beauty. But I still don’t want them on my lawn!
Thank you for this lovely post, Sarah – one that is especially resonant for me as I look out at a few dandelions poking up through the lawn.
Your post made me think about how much I loved dandelions – especially the white ones – as a kid. How fluffy and fun they were. And I wonder when some adult said to me, “Hey, that’s a weed!” and how my perspective changed as a result.
So here’s to a generation of sons and daughters who persevere and challenge conventional standards of what’s pretty!
Always fun for the kids to play with. I remember picking them for my Mom when i was young and she would put them in a vase. My youngest son likes to play with them and pick them. Blow the white ones away with a wish.
Great post.
If you have kids here is a song that is cut. Okay i like it myself.
http://www.kindersite.org/Directory/DirectoryFrame.htm
song called DandiLion
Nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your posts. I’ll be subscribing to your feed and look forward to future posts!
I love those photos. They really capture the beauty of the flower.