Luscious flowers

If you’re tired of winter like I am, there is still time to see some luscious flowers and beauty at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Spring Flower Show. It’s almost over — it ends March 3.

I went out yesterday and enjoyed the sights and scents of spring. There were so many brightly colored flowers. And talk about luscious flowers—I loved the French rose garden feel of the flowers below.

The spring flower show was just the kind of day brightener I needed. Though there is snow everywhere outside (and it’s coming down again today), the sun was shining brightly yesterday as I escaped into springtime at the flower show.

While I was there I had a lovely conversation with a mom of 3 children who was there with baby, and toddler, and her camera. She was making as many photos as I was. When she asked me a question about my camera lens we stopped to talk about our shared love of photography. I was able to share some tips about using extension tubes for macro photography and she talked about how photography brings her much joy and helps keep her sane while caring for her children four years of age and under.

I loved her passion for photography. She said that she felt it helped her be a better mom to her children because it made her happy, helped her interact more with them, and got them out for fun adventures. Our short conversation was one of those unexpected connections that lifts the spirit.

Sweet memories

Her enthusiasm for creating with her camera reminded me of a day when my youngest was 2 1/2 years old and my older daughter was 10. It was a beautiful summer day and I decided that we would make tie dye shirts together, one for each of us. We headed out to the patio with tee shirts, water mixed with dye and plenty of rubber bands. I’m not sure how much joy it brought my daughters but I do remember the satisfaction I had playing with dye, tee-shirts, and water. Somewhere in my photo archives is a proud photo of the three of us wearing our pink tie-dye shirts. What a sweet memory—another affirmation that creating and following joy are healing.

When was the last time you chose joy?

May you walk in beauty.