Purple and lilacs

In the spring, my eyes are so focused on green that it becomes a single-minded pursuit, waiting for green grass, green shoots on the trees, green seedlings breaking through the soil.

This year was the first spring that I noticed how much purple is in my yard. Everywhere I turn, surprising splashes of purple, lavender, redish-blues and bluish-reds.

In a season of green, it’s positively magical.

The lilac tree is in full bloom right now — if any flower was heaven sent, it surely was the lilac. I’m certain my neighbors are mocking me behind their curtains at this point, watching me stick my nose deep in the bloomy cloud every time I pass by.

Lilacs have a very special meaning in my family. Many, many years ago, my brother planted a lilac tree on a standard in my parent’s front yard. It grew and grew to an amazing umbrella of lavender perfection. Somehow, every year — no matter the weather — the tree timed its all-too-short bloom with Mother’s Day, mid-May.

After my parents passed, we put their home on the market. It was November but, along with the economy, the housing market was depressed. It took months to get any interested parties, but at last, we had a buyer. Paperwork and milestones passed smoothly, and the closing was scheduled: late April. I thought of the tree — for the first time in 15 years, I wouldn’t see it bloom on Mother’s Day, with my mom.

I hadn’t been to the house in weeks. On closing day, I visited one last time, to say goodbye and wrap up a few more memories to carry forward.

Pulling in the driveway, my breath caught in my throat. It was April 24th, weeks away from Mother’s Day.

The tree was in full bloom. It was only April 24th, but somehow … the tree knew.

I snapped the photo above and took a clipping, which thrived in a small white vase for weeks beyond what it should have. Sometime later, my brother bought a lilac tree on a standard and planted it my front yard. And, today, it’s in full bloom. Mid-May, just in time for Mother’s Day.

I hope your Spring is colorful and sweetly scented.

Hug your mom and dad. Time is fleeting, and like the lilac’s bloom, all too brief.