"Mom, it's snowing!", J exclaimed from the back.
I eased my eyes open to find white tufts floating through the air like feathers catching a ride on a cool breeze. I searched my mind to place these tufts. It wasn't snow, but I can see how they fooled my young son's eyes. These white fluffs floated upwards and downwards, swirling in the gentle breeze outside of our car. One parachuted it's way to the windshield and made a safe landing on the wipers. My brain finally recognized this foreign object...it was a dandelion tuft. I searched the school yard to find the home that these tufts ran from. I pointed them out to J and explained how the yellow flowers changed into the white balls hovering over the stems. His eyes lit up as we watched the runaway seeds leave their home.
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| photo © 2010 Cheryl VanStane | more info (via: Wylio) |
How could I say no. We unbuckled our seat belts and ventured through the grass to help these seeds on their journey. 1...2...3...BLOW!
You have created a wonderfully descriptive piece!As a kid, I loved blowing the tufts. As an adult, I shudder when I see them flying (don't want them to take root in my yard). I really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteLovely description of this time. He must have had a terrific time watching the seeds floating through the air. I like that you take time for the small things.
ReplyDeleteWonderful description! I really could see them flying. It reminded me of when the cottonwood seeds fly around. Sometimes, we even get "drifts"!
ReplyDeleteYou have captured so well your dreamy state of mind, the slight confusion and the excitement. I find that blowing dandelion tufts is like blowing soap bubbles - you are never too old for that.
ReplyDeleteTerje
Beautiful writing; beautiful moment. I'm glad you took the time to do this with you son. It's these kind of memories that make a childhood happy.
ReplyDeleteRuth
I love how you captured what teaching is all about. Childrens' natural excitement about the world.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit it. I am a dandelion lover, as long as they are in my neighbor's yard. As soon as it stops raining around here, I want to take some pictures of them. I love the verb "parachuted" and the line where you describe the runaway seeds leaving their homes.
ReplyDelete"I searched my mind to place these tufts." I like this line. I think maybe because it captures the way my way of thinking works too. I was able to be in the moment, listening to the radio with you in the car, so that moment in between complete confusion and complete understanding was really well put--and an important moment to not skip over.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written piece. The language, the phrases, the word choice. You've captured it and . . . (whoooo . . . blow) shared a tuft of magic!
ReplyDeleteYou did a brilliant job with your descriptive piece. I felt like I was there. You and your sun must have had a glorious time with the flying dandelions.
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece of writing...Like it!!
ReplyDeleteCustomized Essay
Very well described. It is such a simple, basic moment, but a real turning point in a kid's mind. A new discovery!
ReplyDelete