Dandelion Bouquet
Dandelion Bouquet
Those soft, feathery clouds of white called dandelions are for many an emblem of life’s simple pleasures. Through the imagery of poems and folk-songs, blowing dandelion seeds across a grassy field has become for me a symbol of stopping to savor the “little” blessings.
On a day of particular disgruntlement, I stopped to ponder the many reasons I have to be joyful and content. I challenged myself to list fifty very simple, very every-day blessings that I enjoy. By the time I had listed fifty I was on a roll - and I had to list one-hundred (and one) instead. I would challenge you to do the same: it is such an encouragement on days when discontent threatens to overtake!
1. Old quilts and a favorite book on a rainy afternoon.
2. A dear friend’s blushes and smiles when she shares the news of her engagement.
3. Tearing about the house with a little, giggling brother on my back.
4. Singing on the top of my lungs.
5. Watching things grow.
6. Holding hands with a little sister.
7. Tickling my brothers (all at once) until the happy tears come rolling down.
8. The musty smell of an old book.
9. Sharing cherished hopes and dreams with a brother.
10. The earnest face of a brother as he shares his own cherished hopes and dreams.
11. Reading aloud favorite stories and poems until I am hoarse.
12. Holding an animated conversation with a three-years old.
13.Ironing with lavender water as I hum a well-known tune.
14. The way my brother grins when I make a silly face.
15. Dancing the Patty-cake Polka until I drop.
16. The draggled little bunch of weeds my brother gathered for me.
17. The way Papa rapturously exclaims whenever he comes in to the smell of fresh bread.
18. A crisp, playful breeze from an open window,
19. A man’s face when he brags on a coming little one.
20. The tears that come in earnest prayer.
21. Climbing into a soft bed after a hard day’s work.
22. Sitting around a campfire listening to jokes and stories.
23. Sitting down to rest after scrubbing down the entire house.
24. A good, hearty handshake.
25. Teaching someone to work with their hands.
26. The shy smile I coax from a stranger.
27. Gathering ferns and flowers for the dinner table.
28. Stopping to savor a breeze.
29. A pile of clean, smooth paper.
30. Clipping (and sniffing) fresh herbs from our own garden.
31. The golden taste of homemade preserves on fresh bread.
32. My mother’s soft hand on my tired shoulder.
33. My father’s laugh.
34. Wearing or using something made by my own hand.
35. Listening to the childhood stories of friendly old ladies and gentlemen.
36. Listening to someone passionate about what they are saying.
37. Listening to a little brother talk a mile-a-minute and wondering what he is saying.
38. Swapping favorite family memories around the dinner table.
39. Watching the world from the vantage point of a tree.
40. Running, running, running until I can run no more.
41. Watching a three-legged race.
42. Singing with my brothers and sisters.
43. Long nights talking with Mama.
44. The smell of freshly-clipped grass.
45. A brisk walk out-of-doors.
46. Racing a little brother and pretending that he is faster than me.
47. Watching a sleeping baby.
48. The face and cheers of a sibling when he realizes that I am preparing his favorite dinner.
49. Bragging about my siblings’ latest accomplishments so that they can hear.
50. Delighting in the Holy Word of God.
51. Listening to Papa tell Mama for the hundredth time that he he loves her.
52. Chatting with a friend over a cup of tea.
53. Reading a long letter from a dear friend.
54. Playing dress-up with my sisters.
55. Daydreaming at a window with beautiful string music to accompany me.
56. Kneading and baking a fresh batch of bread.
57. Making exciting and (very) ambitious plans with my sisters late at night.
58. Scrubbing, washing, and arranging the entire house.
59. Working up a good, honest sweat.
60. Reading from a thick volume of poetry while eating chocolate.
61. Looking at old family albums with Mama there to tell all the stories.
62. A little boy’s arms up-stretched for me to hold him.
63. Writing.
64. Snickerdoodles in the oven - and then in my mouth!
65. Rocking on a front porch with family and friends.
66. Counting shooting stars with my family on a clear, chilly night.
67. Folding blankets that have been hung outside.
68. Eloquent silence.
69. Daydreaming about wifehood and motherhood.
70. Bringing home a generous stack of books from the library.
71. Reading and laughing over each other’s old journals.
72. A spirited game of kick-ball on a summer’s Sunday afternoon.
73. Padding silently over a thick, fragrant carpet of pine needles.
74. Sunshine and breezes filling the house.
75. Browsing through (and dreaming over) colorful gardening books.
76. A candle-light dinner.
77. Conversing with a cheerful, gentle old lady.
78. A neat workbasket.
79. A hearty laugh.
80. Holding a little baby in my arms.
81. The softness of yarn in my fingers when I crochet.
82. Telling my littlest siblings about the “olden days” when I was their age.
83. Stopping to smell a bunch of flowers.
84. Watching the brimstone butterflies dance.
85. Watching the fluffy clouds sail across the blue sky.
86. Washing windows.
87. Iced lemonade with mint on a hot day.
88. Pushing a brother on the tire-swing as high as I can.
89. A beautiful sunset over the water.
90. Watching a long game of “Papa Pile” and all the belly-laughs that come with it.
91. The milky breath of an infant.
92. Apple butter.
93. Listening to bird songs in the early morning.
94. The fragrance of lavender.
95. Walking barefoot over young grass.
96. Four-alarm chili with cornbread casserole.
97. A leisurely swing on the hammock.
98. A soft cat napping on a sunny bed.
99. A little brother running his fingers in my hair.
100. Cooking in the kitchen with the whole family on a Sunday afternoon.
101. Counting the simple pleasures that our mine, and realizing how much the Lord has chosen to bless me!
Text: Dandelion Bouquets. © Handmaidens of the Shepherd, November 2007.
Photographs: Dandelion. Dandelion. These images are in the public domain.
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STEPHANIE said...
Thank you for reminding me to be thankful for everyday blessings! Your list is wonderful!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 02:30 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Hello, Stephanie! Thank you so much for commenting.
I realize that some of the things in my list may seem very small, or not in the regular line of “blessings,” but, as I was saying to my sister a few days ago, anything is a blessing which God sends to beautify our lives.
If anyone likes, they can post five of their own “little,” every-day blessings, I think it might be a good exercise as we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving Day.
Thursday, November 15, 2007 07:40 PM
HILDEGARD said...
I think some of the “littlest” things on your list gave me the most heartfelt joy when I read them. There truly is never a dull moment when we stop to think of how our God sends gifts to fill each one.
Thursday, April 24, 2007 01:02 PM
Tuesday, November 13, 2007