Daffodils, Nature’s Little Pick Me Up!

By Tammy Davis

Mother Nature is one smart woman, and she’s a little bit of a show off.  It’s easy to focus on her major accomplishments.  Majestic mountains, vast seas and mighty rivers – those are her headliners. Most of us feel connected to a higher power when we stand before these grand creations.

But I think Mother Nature is equally proud of her pint-sized handiwork.  I think she wants us to take note of her smallest creations as well.  These miniatures can teach us a different, but equally important, lesson.

Daffodils are determined little flowers.  They begin popping up when the ground is still cold, and the skies are often gray.  The little green sprouts appear in the winter doldrums after the excitement of the holidays but before the joys of spring.

I don’t think the cycle of the daffodil is an accident.  I think Mother Nature knew we would need a little pick me up.  Daffodils remind us yes, these days are cold and dreary, but hold on, because sunny days are ahead.

In the South, it’s not unusual for us get a late winter storm, and our daffodils get a good coating of ice.  But daffodils don’t get burned, and they don’t wilt.  They continue standing tall with their perky blooms.  No, a little bad weather doesn’t affect those tough little flowers.  It’s like hard times for us.  We can’t get beaten down when the dark days come.  We have to stand tall like our little sunshine flowers and know that better days are ahead.

I think Mother Nature sent all her early bloomers – the daffodils and the Japanese magnolia and the forsythia – as signs of hope.  Mother Nature sends us what we need exactly when we need it.

It’s easy to get philosophical when we’re admiring the spectacular canyons and deserts and waterfalls.  I think Mother Nature wants us to slow down long enough to look at the lesser creations.  We plan big family vacations with the sole purpose of standing before the Grand Canyon or watching Old Faithful do her thing.  Mother Nature loves that attention, but I think she wants us to look for joy and inspiration in our everyday paths.

Daffodils around a mailbox, daffodils around the porch steps, daffodils by the side of country roads – they are everyday flowers for sure.  But I don’t think Mother Nature wants us to show favoritism.   There is a time for mountains, and there is a time for morning glories.  I think Mother Nature wants us to enjoy them both.  I think we are better for it if we do.

Tammy Davis has a new book available, Chin Up, Buttercup – A Collection of Essays and Devotions on the Power of Faith, Perseverance and a Positive Attitude.   Visit her website at www.tammydavissstories.com.  For an autographed copy, email her at [email protected]