May 8th, 2026 Friday Sunny
I rarely buy flowers for display at home.
The main reason is that I am not diligent about taking care of them, and naturally they fade out more quickly when neglected. Also, since we have welcomed two always too-curious-for-their-own-benefit kitties into the house, anything that could potentially hurt them (many plants are toxic for cats, causing issues anywhere from an upset stomach to a necessary emergency room vet visit) or be hurt by them (yes, we have tried grass, and Sesame chewed up the whole patch to the ground with great enthusiasm, in five minutes) must be avoided.
Yet sometimes these colorful messengers of spring just walk in unexpectedly.
I had a volunteering shift a few weeks ago, peeling bananas and bagging them for freezing for three hours. At the end of it, as a token of thanks, the manager offered boxes of bouquets in glass bottles, apparently donated by a nearby farm. I decided to accept a few since we happened to be hosting a nature-themed game night that weekend, and admittedly, these artistically arranged little gifts immediately brighten the dining room, even though they had to be placed on top of the cabinet to be completely out of reach of our feline babies.
Despite the limited guardianship we have provided, these decorations have continued to bloom for almost a month. When the decaying proportions can no longer be overlooked, I took them down, and consolidated the still vital ones into a single container. It is now bathing in the sunlight in my study, cheering me up when workday gets dull.
Impressed with their longevity, my husband commented, “it would be nice to have them every now and then, right?”
I agree, but the same concerns remain. The more viable option would be to purchase/create fake counterparts, which of course, will last forever.
Nevertheless, I feel that the ambiance generated by the natural beauty cannot be matched by the artificial imitation of it.
Then it occurred to me that, perhaps, people of all ages and cultures adore the cut flowers BECAUSE OF their fleeting beauty.
When we catch a glimpse of a flower bud, we can sense the passage of time – in a couple of days it will open up, shining brilliantly for a while, then wilt away as it finishes its cycle.
We know the identical process, because we, just like all living things, share the experience.
That makes us cherish it even more – these transient moments that sparkle remind us that they should not be taken for granted. Each is a miracle on its own. If you do not appreciate them in time, they will disappear in a blink of eye, leaving regret behind.
Gather sweet blossoms while you may, and not the twig devoid of flowers.