Ode to the dandelion

From the time she was small she always saw wishes…

My sweet Louise.

The tiniest little glories amazed her. She was fascinated with life in all its multitude of forms. Emma collected stones and shells. She explored the worlds beneath the rocks and leaves. There is a great reverence and respect for small things, in her heart.

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I can remember one autumn in her toddler years.  We took a walk down to the old apple tree.  It must have been 100 years old. Creaking as the wind blew. Worn and broken, but it still had a generous offering of fruit. It’s gnarled branches covered with lichens. That fragrance of fall ~ fallen apples, sweet and mushy on the ground. Bees enthralled.

Her little hands reached out to select a crimson orb. On it a blemish. A brown spot. Something that most of us would leave on the ground. Not my sweet Louise. Her compassion poured out that day, as she held that little apple close to her heart. Cheeks caressing the bruised skin, she quietly whispered “Don’t worry bad apple.  I love you.”

What a rare beauty she holds.

Apples. Mushrooms. Birds. Frogs. Turtles.

They have been her preferred companions throughout childhood.

As my only child, I have had the luxury of intimately watching her grow and flourish. God has special plans for this amazing girl.  I have no doubt.  I watch in awe as she makes her way through this life. Pleasantries and tribulation.  She manages it all with His Grace wrapped around her.

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Throughout her years, Emma has forever had an affinity for dandelions.

Those vibrant little sunshines scattered in fields of green every spring.

“Dandelion Club” ~ she couldn’t wait until tomorrow. During recess she and her elementary friends would run through the prairie, collecting as many fragrant yellow flowers as they could. They would return them all to a jar, in hopes of making dandelion perfume. A sweet scent that little girls treasure.

To them, dandelions were the epitome of childhood. They represented happiness.  Joy. Sunshine and friendship. 

As I watch her grow, I realize how very much like a dandelion that she is, herself. 

They are like two kindred spirits.

Dandelions seem to find their way into every space. In other words, they get along well with others.

They are cheerful & bright. Emma shines. She is like a light ~ warm and inviting.  She radiates.

Wild and free. A creative thinker, not easily swayed by the masses, she has her own perspectives and holds tight to her values.

Strengthened by wind and rain. Her life ~ as she continues to grow through the pain of divorce at six years old and now, navigating her way through the emotional aftermath of a family broken by alcoholism. She is the image of courage. The vision of humility.

“Some say they are weeds. 

Others see wishes.”

Like dandelions, some people in our lives pose challenges. Emma will always give another heart the benefit of the doubt.  Loving and kind, she embraces even those who are unkind to her. She has a gift of recognizing a lost and wandering soul. She is able to see the beauty in others, even when they don’t see it, yet themselves.

Compassion for hurting hearts. Some days, its the recognition of friends caught in the angst of adolescent uncertainty. Providing an outstretched hand filled with love and encouragement.

Other days….her own father.

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Just last week she saw him for the first time in 7 months.

When the subject comes up with friends, they are unable to fathom it. Unfortunately, her soon-to-be fourteen year old heart knows the scenario well.

She has felt the strain of emotional pain in her relationship with her dad.

Succumb to the disease of alcoholism, he is a shell of the man he once was. His mind riddled with anger, his heart clenched like a fist. He can see the child before him. But locked behind a window seemingly frozen shut, he finds himself unable to connect. Distant and confused by his own life and his place in it.

She sees this now. She has watched him wither from the father she once knew as a little girl. And although her heart aches to have a different relationship with him, she understands that he is a sick man. Lost and lonely in an empty place without Christ.

They were able to spend some time together over dinner.

She shared with him the exciting things going on in her life.  Next year a freshman, the anticipation of high-school before her. So many successes in these past months. Academic achievements. Athletic accomplishment. Travel to new places. Life is her oyster.

She said he listened.  And it was nice for a time.

Then he recoiled into his typical patterns of negative questioning and expression of disdain for her own mother.  He has never let go of the hurt.  He wallows in the pain of the past. Inherent in his behavior, the wounds he re-opens, desperately trying to pull his young daughter into his pit of despair.

But…she refuses.

Instead, she acknowledges his discomfort and allows him his own perspective. Her earthly father before her ~ not the man she dreamed of. But the blessing of a dad that she has been given.

Safe in the arms of her Heavenly father, she can let go.  Knowing that we are all children of God, she prays for him. We pray for him. Wishing that one day his heart may know peace.But for now, she can love him where he’s at.  For he will always be her dad. 

She says goodbye, until they see each other again.

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Dandelions.

They withstand the test of time as they have been around for centuries. A characteristic of endurance through trial.  Stamina despite the storm.

They have two lives.

One, youthful and vibrant yellow. Soaking in the sun. Adoring the light.

Then at some point, each flower is transformed into its lovely, yet delicate maturity ~ transparent white. The morning light illuminating it’s beauty. Strong, even in the wind.

So much like my sweet Louise.

When did these changes happen?

The young girl with eyes of wonder…now transformed in trust. Her Creator making her into His beautiful flower. A princess of Christ. A warrior for the Savior.

One to be admired on this journey.

Moving beyond this life at home that she has known for her growing years, she will soon move beyond. Like the seeds of the dandelion, to fly on to another purpose.  To carry God’s wishes for her own life somewhere else.

What a treasure to know that I am so blessed to be a part of this process. 

She will plant seeds for others in this world. In awe, I watch as God molds her life. The gentle, and loving spirit He softly shaped is equally matched by a fierce independent strength in Him.

I watch as this metamorphosis takes place before my eyes.  And in this time, I have wishes of my own. I close my eyes, and pray that my lovely dandelion will always draw her wisdom from His light.

My sweet Louise,

May you always hold His hand, for He will teach you the way to go.

I love you, miles and miles forever.

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