An essential part of being a kid is picking yellow dandelions and giving them to everyone you know. As a parent and former teacher, I have received my fair share of dandelion bouquets, worn dandelions in my hair, and even put dandelions in a vase full of water.
But the quintessential part of being a kid is picking the whitest, fluffiest dandelions you can find, making a wish, and blowing off every last possible seed (stomping on them is super fun too).
As a grownup, I now know the effects of making those wishes, as more and more dandelions sprout up all over our lawn. But, I still know the magic that lies within and don’t feel that I have the right to stand in the way of anyone’s wishes.
And so, my children pick their dandelions, both yellow and white. And so, I do my best to appreciate every bouquet, hair decoration, and centerpiece I am given. And so, I watch both in horror and in wonder as hundreds of new dandelion seeds take their journey in my backyard and beyond.
My neighbors must hate me.