I find it deeply sad that people don’t appreciate the ephemera. Things that last but for a moment. Like mayflies, for instance. Does existing for an eye-blink mean that there is no benefit to their existence? Monuments to the past are grand, because they help us appreciate that which came before us, but existence. Existence, however short and futile, is worthy of reverence.

This morning while I was meandering, I ran across a bunch of Twinspur, just barely blooming. I had to stop and take a deep breath because I understood in that single moment the next time I wandered down to this spot, everything would be different. They would be gone, replaced by something new and young. I cried a little and then clipped a hefty handful. As I wandered home, I thought about where this lovely little flower originated and when I found out they are native to South Africa and the Afrikaans name is Bokhorinkies, which sounds like the name of Brooklyn band that should be on the cover of Blender, I smiled.

It was strange. I knew they would die soon. But instead of lovingly putting them in water and gently placing them upon a sun-drenched windowsill, I gathered some rosemary and wrapped them protectively in twine. Graceful bundles that I knew would only survive for a few hours. But they were the most beautiful bundled bits of nature you can imagine. They sat on my bedside table and in the morning they were gone.

That’s how life works.

Love,
Madeline