Spring Bouquets

I grew up in a beautiful, verdant part of the world with four distinct Seasons. As a child I remember the first signs of spring in the early flowers poking their way through the snow. Spring had truly arrived when the lilacs were in bloom and the delicate, fragrant wood violets were peeking up beneath the trees.

When I was about 8 or 9 I vividly remeber I had one "admirier" among my classmates. He always went out of his way to bring me little gifts and special tokens. The one I recall best was when in that wonderful spring he showed up at the front door with a bouquet of those precious, wonderfully smelling wood violets clutched in his hand for me. His nervousness at coming to my home was evident. he shifted from foot to foot, dressed in his Sunday clothes. Luckily my mother opened the door rather than one of my older siblings who would have done something to torment both he and I. My mother invited him into the house, called for me and went to fetch a small vase for the bouquet. I was probably just as nervous as he, unused to receiving such attention. But I rmember my delight that he had brought me one of my favorite flowers, the ones I would always go in search of each spring. We put them in that small vase which got placed in a special spot in my bedroom.

They have been a favorite flower for me ever since.