A Beautiful Mess

Today was one of those days we just had to get out of the house. It was beautiful and sunny and my vases had been empty for far too long. And also because I was staring out of the kitchen window while doing dishes after lunch, and noticed how our lawn was dotted with bright yellow dandelions. I could smell them in my memory, and thinking how ridiculous it was that I was inside on such a day. Our neighbor's lawn really is greener because it lacks these cheerful blooms. It gets sprayed and flattened and sprayed some more until it resembles a golf course in its pristineness. What a shame chemicals are chosen over useful, edible plants. Our lawn may be a mess, but it's a beautiful mess. And one that could produce some delicious wine or jelly.

The boys and I grabbed some smoothies and went on a drive out of town--just out of town, not too far. My goal was to find a blossoming tree for bouquets and to get Ian to fall asleep. A little gravel-travel to clear the mind; the kind of drive my Dad used to call a "see-cruise".

We drove past our old acreage. Made a couple pit stops, because, well, boys and smoothies. We spied a couple geese on the banks of a pond. Found some flowering trees off in the distance, too far to collect for bouquets, but looked like it would be a gorgeous location for a homestead.

And then I found what I was searching for: a massive apple tree, loaded with blossoms, on the edge of a wood. It was so large I couldn't reach the trunk without crawling under boughs across the ground. The ground was carpeted with silky white petals.

The fragrance of the blossoms was enchanting, and took me back to my childhood when I would sit for hours under my parents' apple trees reading. I used to dream of having a house surrounded by an orchard.

I had a few sprigs cut when one of the boys called to me from the Suburban: "Mom! We have an emergency here! Ian threw his smoothie!" Thank goodness for floor mats because that was just one more beautiful mess.

As I set the apple blossoms on the seat they also made a beautiful mess there and on the floor, dropping petals whenever they were moved or jostled. And that was ok.

Despite knowing our house was a mess just waiting for our return, we did not hurry home to fix it. Instead, we stopped at the library and checked out a large stack of books. We took our time, and enjoyed looking at pictures and through pages.

I still get frustrated at times by the things I don't get done, by the never-ending chores that come with motherhood, but it's slowly becoming easier for me to accept that life is speeding by us with terrifying swiftness. Focusing mainly on the mundane tasks of everyday life with little reprieve is madness. These creatures that God has given me charge of need to be shown how to appreciate true beauty and goodness.

The light of day revealed another beautiful mess today: I'm growing glitter. Like the dandelions, I chose to not eliminate my silver strands with chemicals. They are but another reminder of the quickly passing years.

I'm going to make it a point to stop and smell the apple blossoms throughout the day. I don't know how long they'll last, but they will be enjoyed despite whatever mess they make. After all, it's part of the beauty of life.