Answer: When you are a child.
Yesterday was the second day of spring. Between the multiple moving shades of gray, there in the sky was a glimmer of pale blue; memories of short wearing and popsicle eating floating just beyond the clouds. It was still in the low 40’s and I was cold so I tried to hurry Carter from the school bus stop to our house. Hurrying Carter is a fine art form that can easily backfire leading to the digging in of little heels and internal (and not so internal) meltdowns by the momma.
Lately he is obsessed with Madrona bark (or Madrone bark for those of you living south of the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon/northern California. Or for any readers I may have in British Columbia, the bark of the Arbutus.) He collects it by the little fistfuls to bring into the house. He carefully places it in the kindling box next to the fireplace for me to use as fire starter. He is quite proud of himself for this contribution. After the obligatory bark collection, where I oooh and aaah over the nicest of pieces, we go in the house, take off our coats and shoes, and discuss what would be good to eat for lunch. He wants a peanut butter and honey sandwich with a side of strawberries and honey wheat pretzel sticks. Tuesday it was vanilla bean yogurt sprinkled with Grape-nuts. As long as it is somewhat healthy and not terribly repetitive I let him choose the afternoon time menu.
I head for the kitchen to make us some sandwiches when he lets out a yelp.
carter: Momma, momma come! clap,clap,clap – yes he actually claps when he calls for me making me feel very doglike. There is something yellow and big in the backyard! He whispers the word “big” to accentuate his excitement.
me: Well, what do you think it is sweetheart?
carter: Again with his dramatic whisper – A flower. He is off to find his boots and go pick the flower for you, momma!
So on the second day of spring my true love little boy gave to me a lovely yellow dandelion.
When is a weed not a weed?
Answer: When your child gives it to you.
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
Very sweet!
Thank you. I love getting little gifts of fresh picked flowers from my boys and have vases of several sizes to accommodate their various bouquets. I even have a vase just perfect for one single dandelion. 🙂
Ah the innocence of youth.
Children see the beauty in everything….we have so much to learn from them.
It is so neat to view things from their perspective. I am continually amazed by them.
I couldn’t agree more. What a sweet little guy.
🙂 Thanks!
So sweet. 🙂
I just love the sweet little boy moments in my life.
Carter is such a great name! 😛
Thank you. People usually think it is strange as a first name but we really like it.
this is beyond adorable. you taught those boys well!
I try, but do I try! I just love getting flowers from my boys, regardless of the type. Last year Carter would pick flowers for me but remove the entire stem so I had to have a little bowl of water on the table as our centerpiece to float the flower tops in. 🙂
Your dandelion is certainly a beautiful flower, and an even more beautiful gift for being given with love. 🙂
I like the dandelion flower even though it is a “weed.” Any flower given to me by my boys is special.
Love this! I used to have a bumper sticker on my car with a quote from Emerson: “What is a weed? A plant whose use has yet to be discovered.” Trust the little ones to find that use–making mommy happy. 🙂
Yup, giving mom a flower, whatever type it may be, makes her happy. 🙂 I like that quote by Emerson.
Thanks for the comment.
Hey, just to let you know – you’re response to “What question becomes most disturbing when you add a wink?” is one of the finalists! You should definitely begin the shameless solicitation of votes for yourself.
http://thebyronicman.com/vote-for-the-question-of-the-week/
Oh dear, thank you I think. I am not sure I want my 15 minutes of fame to be associated with my slightly awkward and much more so disturbing question (with a wink.) I will check it out and most likely vote for myself a modest amount. 🙂 And I must ask – what does the winner receive?
Oh, what DOESN’T the winner receive!? Glory, power, wealth, the smiting of one’s enemies, and being my Featured Blogger of the Week!
At least one of those things is true.