A Dandelion Beside the Road to School

Today I was walking home from school with my daughter. She saw a dandelion in a little garden by the road, stopped, and said, “Dad, wait a second…” She picked it, smiled up at the sky for a moment, and blew its seeds away. I remembered that a month earlier she had done the same thing while praying for my mother to come home from the hospital. I asked, “What did you say under your breath?” She said… “I said, ‘Grandma, I’m sorry you got sick and went away from us. I miss you so much and I love you…’” I was crumbling inside. I wanted to burst, but I held myself together so I wouldn’t cry in front of my daughter. I looked at her and said, “What a beautiful smile you gave her.” She said, “Of course. She’s with us, and I talk to her. I’m always happy she’s here.” What a great lesson from such a tiny child. She showed me that being sad helps neither you nor your mother’s spirit. I saw how beautifully she sees the world, even its bitter parts. I saw that she gives a smile instead of tears and grief. Mother, I love you to the full height of your being.