Dandelion Kisses

 Oregon's on again-off again rain romance has begun, indicating two things: 1) Willamette Valley weather manning should be no one's dream job, 2) Spring (despite the groundhog's prediction) arrived early. A wild beast of a season, overflowing with hormonal flora and punctuated at every moment by the tender symphonies of a thousand sneezes, Spring brings with it a bittersweet ache.

   Among the various plants and wee animal babes appearing on scene, the wee warrior Dandelion too,  rears his head.  He looks 'round ways a bit, promptly bursts into seed and thereby covers your lawn with all his many spawn within a week's time. Who knew such a small, sunny flower could prove so very tenacious? I love Dandelions. I love that they stink to high heaven, undergo numerous changes and resist your EVERY effort to permanently destroy them.  I love that, though a weed to most, herbalists know them for their healing properties and kindness to the human body. I love that they begin their days as the most likely flower in a child's bouquet and end it as a wish blown by that same child's breath. 

   Most, I love that God wrote the story of His son in the life of one tiny weed. For many, He stank to high heaven; to all he offered healing and kindness. To the child, he had a special regard; held as tightly in their little hearts as Dandelions in a chubby fist. Dandelion kisses are the name given those little, flying seeds blown from their cottoned tops. Kisses from heaven, kisses from Papa and his Son. 

Happy Spring. :)