What is it about flowers?

That was the question my friend posed to the rest of our four-person yaya group as we tiptoed through the tulips at The Dallas Arboretum.

Why, now that we’re at this age and at this stage, do we love flowers so much?

None of us had a great answer to that. It must have been the state of springtime stupor to which we had succumbed. Who could possibly think very hard at all when our senses were fastened on such flora and fauna? One after another, we slowly shook our heads and dreamily, softly, hardly audible at all, responded as one.

“I don’t know.”

A Planted Seed

Later, when my head had cleared a little, I nurtured the seed planted by Robin’s question with a little deeper thought.

Truly, what is it about flowers, and about being Over Fifty that makes us appreciate their beauty all the more?

Watered with Reflection

Where I grew up, fresh flowers were both a rare and wonderful treat.

In fact, as I’m thinking about it now, I actually have no memory of ever seeing fresh flowers on our dining table or in a flower bed during the whole of my childhood. My grandmother had hearty evergreens that sprouted orange berries, and my granddad grew the most amazing hydrangea bush at his home in Elk City, Oklahoma. But, truly, the sum total of my early floral recollection consists of funeral sprays, wedding bouquets, and the corsages our moms wore to church on Mother’s Day.

Later, my mom helped pin a big white mum to my shoulder when my date picked me up for the big homecoming game every October at Canyon High School.

And then one afternoon, when I was working part-time at the local title company in the town where I went to college, the florist delivered a pretty arrangement full of pink and yellow flowers. My name was printed on the outside of the tiny envelope that poked up through the blossoms of baby’s breath, and I experienced a good ol’ swoon when I read the note inside it from my latest love interest.

But later, when Mike and I got hitched, “flowers” was nowhere to be found on any line item of our scrimpy little married-student budget. And that was okay with me, because I would probably have rather had a new pair of shoes anyway.

If you grew up in a Texas climate like I did, you might be sharing some of the same memories.

Blooms and Blossoms

So, when my besties came to Dallas for our yearly weekend, and my boss said, here, take these tickets to enjoy The Arboretum with your friends, I jumped at the offer. After all, I figured we would be in need of a long stroll after pizza at Campisi’s (and various other splurges).

The famous fashion designer, Christian Dior, once said: After women, flowers are the most divine creations. He understands what God himself knew – that women would love flowers. He created them before he brought Eve from Adam’s rib. What a stunning backdrop those flowers must have been on that day.

A Question Answered

Today, we who are Over Fifty, have more time to gaze upon the blooms and blossoms of life in general, don’t we? Our hands are not attached to a stroller, and our eyes are no longer glued to the numbers on the backs of our kids’ football jerseys.

Who among us doesn’t stop to examine the bouquets every time we get inside a Trader Joe’s? And have you noticed yourself warming up to the homey smell of rose-scented lotions like your grandmother used to  wear?

I think we might be onto something here. Perhaps we’ve even answered Robin’s question.

At this time in our lives, at this stage of our lives, maybe we appreciate the wonder of fresh flowers more because we understand how quickly the blooms will come and go. Kind of like all the experiences we’ve had in life!

We can take pictures and we can reminisce about the occasion, but to be physically in the presence of a field of growing flowers at their bountiful best stirs a whole lot more within us than our affection for natural beauty.

Whew. Who knew a visit to The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden would sprout such deep thoughts in the minds of four yayas on a boondoggle?

Plan Your Visit

The Dallas Blooms exhibit is almost over, so plan to go this weekend if you can. However, something else wonderful will follow. The Arboretum is open year-round.

Wear comfortable shoes and take a picnic if you’d like. We rode the free tram (pictured below), which was especially nice because the driver had such an informative narrative for the drive. If you want to ride the tram as well, arrive early. The rides only operate until the crowd gets too full for them to weave through.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips With Me 

No one in their right mind wanted to do much of anything with Tiny Tim, the singer of that quirky song about tiptoeing through the tulips, but I hope you’ve enjoyed a tour of The Blooms with me and my beautiful friends.

Encouraging everyday intentional adventure, and a fragrant appreciation for life Over Fifty,

PS: What’s your favorite flower? I have a special fondness for hydrangeas (and tulips)!