Yesterday, I was moved by services for a friend’s husband Matt Wunsch, who was such a kind and artistic soul. Afterwards, I went to the tulip farm, where I work, and play, to touch the brighter side of life. I picked so many blooms with my son and was lifted up by the fields and colors and people.

At home, as I bundled and trimmed my tulips, I found myself drawn to this one. I had picked it up along the way, instead of choosing it. Maybe someone dropped it by accident, or maybe it wasn’t perfect enough for them?

I thought about how easy it is to grab hold of the brightest, boldest, tallest blooms in life. We can’t help but do this, I think, “Ta Da!” they shout, “See Meee!” That’s what I had done on purpose and I had a huge bundle to show for it too .

But this tulip, which I wound up noticing quietly at home, was the one that inspired a gaze. Left out, twisted ’round and facing sideways, a subtler color than its neighbors. It looks like it’s reaching toward something it likely will not grasp. Yet I picked it up, as someone must have done before.

.. .and it still has yet to bloom

From Facebook Post 4/9/2023