Today smells like my childhood. The musky scent of a weed that used to flower with great propensity in a field at our grade school is borne on the breeze. To my friends and me, this wasn’t a weed. It made bouquets, it was food, it was shelter. Whatever purpose our imaginations envisioned for it, it served. And now its bright purple flowers dot the path on the way to my bench. As an adult, I see them as weeds that need to be gotten rid of, but as a child, they were a source of great fun. As a kid, I didn’t care what things looked like, so long as they were fun or left room for imagination. Our backyard could have been overrun with weeds and I wouldn’t have cared.
Somewhere, a lawn mower growls and the tangy odor of freshly cut grass wafts by me. That is the aroma of high school track. Whenever I smell that, I get an unquenchable urge to run, and it’s been eight years since my last track season. That urge runs so deep in my blood, I doubt I’ll ever lose it.
It’s Easter Sunday and all around me things are springing to life. Today is the first nice day we’ve had in a long time and the trees and flowers are taking advantage of it. Just like Christ rose from the dead, so these plants are rising from their winter tombs.
The tree that marks Jason Cody Rowly’s place is still small. At first glance, it’s nothing more than a bunch of twigs. But there is life there- small buds biding their time. The canal that was a mere trickle when I began this blog in January is half full of cold, slow moving water. In another month, it will be full to bursting.
This is my favorite season of all, the only reason I can make it through the cold of winter. It’s one of the reasons I love Easter so well. It’s an offering of hope- a Savior risen from the dead, bursts of color blooming all around, the relief of a warm breeze and the love of family.
I love your pictures! :-) I also like how you take us from your childhood to your high school years, and into your adulthood simply because we are seeing this place through your reflective eyes. When I read, "Today smells like my childhood," I knew exactly what you meant. Of course, I think my childhood probably smelled differently, but sometimes I get that feeling too. Your post is so hopeful and bright. I really enjoyed it. I hope you had a happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteThe first line is so smart. What a way to capture an audience. And then to couple that with the line about grass cuttings and high school and running. I think you have the potential for a fully symbolic piece here. What scents do we associate with stages of our lives? Neat opportunity, and you can lay claim to it as of now. (Damn! Foiled again -- why didn't I think of that!?! )
ReplyDeleteIf you search the metaphor of spring and Easter and all that, you may find a lot of similarities in other religions that may surprise (or perhaps disappoint) you. Like that canal, we all have a journey to partake and a soul to fill. I won't pontificate; I'll just hope that you enjoy the journey - of your writing and whatever path you search.
Peace,
Dan
Beautiful last post! Everything springing to life. Winter is over. The creek is swelling, the limbs of the small tree are budding, memories are made crystal clear by smells of musky weeds and freshly mown lawn. Easter. I especially love the photo of the tulips...it really is Spring!
ReplyDeleteI've been down at my parents for nearly a month now...they needed my help. I am so ready to return home and greet all the wildflowers "rising from their winter tombs." This week, I will see just how Spring-like it is in the Methow...
I think Dan is on to something here, with the metaphoric and symbolic possibilities you've intuitively noticed here.
ReplyDelete