Dandelion Wishes Make Dreams Come True

Dandelions.

Some people find the dandelion to be a dreaded weed that must be killed. This is not an easy task since the taproot is deep, twisted, and brittle. In order to kill the dandelion, it must be removed all the way down to the root or it will immediately grow back. Dandelions are weeds.

For the adventurous palate, the dandelion is a plant that can be eaten. The greens are bitter and taste like endive and chicory. The flowers are bittersweet, but are often added to salads. Finally, the taproot can also be used like other root vegetables to create a more robust flavor especially when cooked in olive oil or soups. Dandelions are a food source.

The younger generation and those of us who refuse to grow old in attitude, find the dandelion to be a delightful yellow flower meant to be collected and given to our mothers. When the flower dries out, it turns into a round ball of seeds which are like little helicopters. When the fluff is blown, the helicopter seeds scatter and fly through the air. Dandelions are magical.

As a little girl, I would pick the yellow dandelion flowers and give them to my mother to put in a little glass of water. I always felt that my bunch of dandelions were the most beautiful cluster of happy, yellow petals and was proud of the collection.

When the unpicked blooms dried and became fluff, I believed that if I blew off all the helicopter seeds, my wishes would be granted…

That is such a nice thought, but what if it were true?

What dreams do you have that remain unfulfilled?

With the new day stretching before me, I found a patch of fluffy dandelion balls. At first, I just wanted to photograph them. That was fine for a short time, but then I had the overwhelming urge to make a wish for old times sake.

I picked a dandelion and waved it back and forth until the little helicopters had all floated away leaving me with just an empty stalk. I had not made a wish either.

Leaning down, I carefully pulled another fluffy ball and brought it closer to my lips. I blew a soft puff of air at the delicate bloom and a hundred helicopters disappeared with the gust of wind. Still no wish entered my mind.

I wondered if I still had any dreams left or had my imagination and drive for new adventures disappeared. The third and biggest dandelion ball was plucked from the green clump of leaves. Poised barely an inch from my lips, the dandelion dared me to make a wish.

Should I dare to risk rejection and disappointment by wishing again?

Somewhere far back in my memories, I heard my mother softly singing…

A dream is wish your heart makes
When you’re fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true.

Wistfully, I made dandelion wishes and stood quietly for a moment so as not to break the peacefulness around me. Then I picked up my camera to take one final shot and to my amazement I saw a ladybug, the sign of luck, crawling on my dandelion.

Maybe dandelion wishes make dreams come true after all.

Share