Our front yard is a bit of a wreck this year. You see, none of us are natural gardeners and with two chronic illnesses among the three of us we’ve had some multi-day hospital visits and shifting of priorities. The front yard hasn’t been one of them. I’m able to get out around 6 a.m. on a Saturday, however, to do some weeding. My philosophy this year is that if it’s not something people would consider an “ugly weed” and if it stays under six inches tall, I’ll let it grow. We’ve planted some deliberate ground cover that doesn’t seem very deliberate, but it’s slowly taking hold. And, of course, there are the ubiquitous dandelions. I don’t really have a problem with dandelions but others think of them as weeds and they do, admittedly, have no sense of personal space. They’ll grow right up under some intentionally planted flower and crowd it out.
If you’ve dealt with dandelions, you know they have deep roots. Well, it rained yesterday and the ground was soft enough that I was actually able to gentle one out the whole way today. It was impressive. Usually the root breaks off (a brilliant, if frustrating adaptation) less than an inch beneath the surface. I thought to snap a picture before tossing this one on the compost pile (in the back yard, of course, inside the fence where it can’t be seen). Talk about depth! These yellow wildflowers with edible leaves and wine-making potential, are tenacious. They have a very strong will. Dandelions are perhaps the most strong-willed of plants.
With chronic illnesses, hope is essential. Instead of getting angry at “weeds” I look at them as examples of just how mighty hope can be. They find cracks that are so small that we overlook them. The soil can’t always be great there, but they carry on. Dandelions can reach impressive sizes (trust me on that one—I’m no gardener) and they don’t take “no” for an answer. Such resilience gives me hope. Were they more conscious (I’m sure they are at some level, but I surely hope it’s beneath the threshold of pain degree) they might well be dominant among the plants. I missed mowing the lawn last weekend for being in the hospital with family, and it’s clear the dandelions have designs on taking over the place. I see them and I find a deep peace. Life finds a way, in spite of difficulty.
