A LAWN FULL OF LOVE...

"And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earths dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."

-Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"-

He bounded into the house looking much like a little boy with a wide grin spread form ear to ear, a branch of dogwood blossoms clutched in his fist, his annual offering of love. My grin equaled his not because he remembered but because he looked so cute and little boyish, so happy to have caught me by surprise.It was Saturday and we discussed that the first mowing of the lawn and field needed to be done as soon as the dew lifted. No use putting it off since there would be no egg hunting here this year, no depth was needed to obscure brightly colored eggs. A little while later I heard it, the rumble and whine of the start of the mower as it roared to life and the blade began to whirl.

A mixture of sadness and gladness wove its way into my heart. I stepped into a sunbeam warming the hardwood floor and rested my head against the cool glass while gazing out into the back yard, listening. A thrill of smelling the first smell of summer, fresh cut grass, lifted my countenance but only for a moment as I pictured in my minds eye all that was being sacrificed for that simple sweet scent.Just days before I had wished aloud in his presence that the first offerings of spring could be saved and savored. Spring Beauties...Wild Violets...Bluelets...Wood Sorrel...Henbit...Just to name a few. All of these were blooming profusely around our woodland home making a colorful carpet sprigged with flowers on a field of green. With one last look of longing I returned to the task at hand still hearing the whirring whine of the rotating blade as it cropped away spring.

Much later in the day he returned with an equally boyish grin on his face insisting that he show me something. Swiping the glue from my hands onto my work apron I slipped from the studio trailing behind him as he led me out the front door and around the house, stopping me by the corner of the deck.

He stepped behind me where I felt the weight and warmth of his hands placed on my shoulders, inching me forward, pivoting me toward the back law. I felt his breath on my hair and his chin rest on my head for a brief moment. He said, "I left this for you. I know how much you love the wildflowers and I didn't touch the violets on the hillside either."

What lay before me was a lawn full of love...Spring Beauties, smiling up at the sunshine with their peppermint striped faces. The blooms were thick, and lush, and lavish just like his love. Both sight and feeling were endless. The blossoms started at my feet and stretched across the entire lawn, drifting into the woodlands around tree roots and rocks, flowing over every surface as far as they eye could see. I stood a little stunned that the man behind me, who was so meticulous about mowing, was actually going to leave all this depth and beauty just for me to enjoy.Every morning since then, with the exception of yesterday due to rain, I have stepped outside at sunrise to watch the Spring Beauties unfold their petals and lift their faces to the sun. Every evening I have returned to watch them retreat into sleep, folding their petals and bowing their heads. Every day as I have been about my business I stop and look in wonder at my lawn full of love in amazement. When did this man with nary a romantic bone in his body become so sweet and sensitive and how did I get so lucky that he picked me? Sometimes wishes do come true!

This weekend, for sure, the lawn will have to be cut but I will always remember this Spring that arose in my garden fair where the Spirit of Love was felt everywhere.

Blessings,

Miss Sandy