People - Flowers Or Weeds

Spring is my absolutely favorite time of year,I once knew a lovely, elderly lady who displayed a
particularly right now when the trees have just leafedthought provoking sign on her desk. It said, "I must be
and they are all the most vivid, clean green there is.important, 'cause God don't make no junk." Bad
Here in central British Columbia, for just a short fewgrammar aside, the meaning is clear. From the least of
days, a week at best, the fresh leaves are sous to the VIP's, we are all an important part of the
intensely green that they almost visibly vibrate with life.whole. We each have our role to play in the grand
Against this background the dandelions look so brightscheme of things, even though that role may not be
as to be almost neon yellow. My drive to the office isapparent to others, or even to ourselves. We often
made more enjoyable because of the ribbons oftend to be too quick to judge, and we judge others by
these yellow flowers marking each side of the road.our own standards. In my experience judging others
They bring back happy memories too. What motheragainst your own criterion of normalcy never works,
has not received a bouquet of these "OK to pick"for you will always be disappointed. We really must
flowers from the pudgy fingers of her eager to pleasehonor the rights of others to dance to their own tune
small child?and learn their lessons in whatever way they choose.
You may scoff at me waxing poetic over mereUnfortunately, we often look at those who do things
yellow weeds, but I suggest that you might be welldifferently, or look different, as weeds in our garden.
advised to look from a different viewpoint at theThe young girl with purple hair for instance, good grief,
humble dandelion. This little yellow flower with the milkywhat is she thinking? Why do her parents allow her
stems and incredibly long taproots is food andout looking so strange? How can that obviously
medicine. The young leaves are edible as saladinebriated man be of any use or importance to himself
greens, or they may be steamed or sauteed likeor anyone around him? What use are beggars, or the
spinach, but are superior in nutrition. They can be usedmentally disabled? Why don't they get jobs and make
as a diuretic, a coffee substitute, or as a natural dye.themselves useful? You've heard these thoughts or
For the alert gardener, the mere presence ofquestions like them I'm sure. Anyone outside our
dandelions indicates acidic soil, which is great forstandard of normal may be considered a weed.
hydrangeas, blueberries, rhubarb, shallots, potatoes andHowever, if we look more deeply we might see that
watermelon. The taproots help break up the soil andalthough the purple hair girl doesn't conform to our idea
the flowers make passable homemade wine. And allof fashion, she has a good mind and a lovely heart.
this time you probably thought they were just weeds,You might find that she does volunteer work with the
a nuisance, and worthless plants.mentally disabled. The mentally impaired person may
We tend to think of each other as weeds at timesbe the means for his care givers to find some purpose
too. But, if you can realize the important purposes ofin life. Sometimes they remind us to take pleasure in
dandelions by looking more closely and taking the timethe simple things life holds. The beggars and addicted
to learn about them, perhaps the same lesson ought tosouls may cross our paths as a way of reminding us
be applied to people as well. In the plant kingdom thereto be careful of our choices. We cannot always know
are no totally useless plants. Some plants bring usfor what purpose each human flower is presented to
beauty or medicine; others supply food, shelter or theus. But, it may be our job to look more closely so that
raw materials for clothing. Each plant in some way aidswe don't discard someone who just might be food or
us directly or indirectly through this path of life. I believemedicine for our soul.
that this is so with the people we encounter as well.