The Resilience of the Daffodil

I was worried in January. Our Michigan Januarys are not known for being kind months. We are better known in the winter season as being cold and snowy. Streets that aren't plowed all that well end up rutted with ice and we know in due course, when all melts, they will be rutted with potholes.But this year was different. Surprisingly warm days marked the calendar. All right, "warm" is a bit generous. But clearly above the freezing mark. And soon I saw this.

The last thing one wants to see in the middle of winter in Michigan is the sprouting of daffodils.

Oh, it's a nice thought. A hint of spring to come. But we've lived here all too long and know far too well that this warm streak is a tease. Soon those baby sprouts will be under snow and then ice. Will they bloom in spring or has their party boat already sailed?

This weather dance continued in February and March but still, the daffodils grew taller. And finally, the buds bursts from their green cocoons.

There's still plenty of time for worry. Their heads are bowed. Drooping low.

But they bloom.

And the continue to bloom -- now, finally, as the temperatures stay well into normal spring range -- more and more, flashing their sunny smiles to whomever passes.

Their heads now reach high into the sun. "Come and get me," they cry out defiantly to an evening that threatens to be a bit too cool. "I have survived the winter. I will survive you!"

Soon enough they will be joined by other garden friends. Brilliant tulips, clouds of forsythia, the white of the tulip trees and the deep pink of the redbud. But they will be the shining stars, the ones who ventured earliest into this spring and who will continue to pop in all their other variations.

They will brighten up the house in vases by the window, catching the morning sun.

They will intrigue curious cats who might bat them about and become rapidly bored, moving onto some other bright, dangerous object.

They will tell me, with each and every glance, "I told you I'd stand by you. I told you I'd be here when spring came."

And they were oh, so right.

May someone give you a bouquet of daffodils today.

Or perhaps, just to be on the safe side, you treat yourself to some.

They are resilient. And so are we.

This post is linked to the Garden Party at Thoughts of Home and Share Your Cup. Please click HERE for links to some gorgeous gardens!