On a recent drive through our beautiful mountain area, I was fascinated by the size of wish flowers growing alongside the road. These dandelions were huge…easily the size of a bouquet of normal sized blooms. As I was wondering aloud whether bigger blooms meant bigger wishes or a bigger chance of wishes coming true, my husband promptly pulled over and picked me a wish!
I know all the rumors. Dandelions are supposedly “mobile vulgaris”…a common weed. Since I was a child, I never gave much credence to those rumors. Fragrant, yellow blooms growing amidst a green lawn sea were pleasant surprises. Dandelion bouquets and children go hand in hand. Unlike the flowerbed, a flower blossoming in the middle of the play yard was without restriction. Children are perplexed why adults do not share in their enthusiasm when presented with that thoughtful posy.
Regrettably, a great deal of adulthood is spent trying to eradicate weeds from our landscape. Following society’s lead, we ignore the heritage and benefit of this plant much like we do with one another. The fact remains that dandelions were brought to the United States intentionally by our European ancestors for medicinal purposes and as food for honeybee propagation. Related to chicory and Echinacea, its benefits include but are not limited to treatment of high blood pressure and detoxification of liver, kidneys and gall bladder. It may be used in treatment of eczema, psoriasis and arthritis. Dandelions are loaded with potassium and vitamins A, B, C, and D.
Intending to “save my wish,” I brought my wish flower home. Upon studying it, I find it to be an intricate bloom. Even though it has morphed from a soft yellow button to a fuzzy skeleton, it remains sweetly fragrant. The countless tiny fibers or seeds are what scatter to the winds when blown upon. I cannot help but feel a kinship to this widely misunderstood flower. Oftentimes, I have felt misunderstood or under appreciated. Due to disability or illness, I have felt depressingly inadequate. Not measuring up to society’s standards of success or been judged solely by my sex, station or beliefs. Oftentimes, I have been the one doing the judging. Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us that, “weeds are plants whose usefulness we have not yet determined.” People are like weeds.
Similar to that dandelion is each precious soul which begins life with hope and promise. Our bodies change, our circumstances vary throughout our lifetime. However, who we are is not validated by others’ impression or opinion. We all have something to offer this world despite our stature or circumstances. For instance, a simple smile is priceless and readily available just like that bouquet growing in the front lawn. Wishes and hope keep us alive, driving us to keep striving forward. Dreams are the seeds of innovation and accomplishment. We are all given daily opportunity to reach out to others in need and who are a lot worse off than our present plight. Each day we awaken is a gift which we forgot somewhere between childhood and adulthood. As those weeds in life, I have the power to change them to blossoms with one positive thought. David Masumoto put it well in his Epitaph to a Peach, “But now I have very few weeds on my farm. I removed them in a single day using a very simple method. I didn’t even break into a sweat. I simply redefined what I call a weed.”