On my way to work today while I drove past the strip malls packed with cars, the schools with students and busses lined by the sidewalk, the mailman filing mail away on the street mailbox, I noticed something that looked almost as if it did not belong in this busy place. In a place full of cars rushing to work, busses trying to cut past you to make it to the transit on time, the people crossing roads at a fast pace trying to balance their coffees and newspapers, I looked up to find a lonely blossom tree on the corner of the street. Although there was grass, clouds, other trees, birds, bees, willows all around the city, this tree was so left out, it almost hurt to see it.
It was as a medium sized tree, but it looked pretty tiny if you compare it to the ginormous coniferous ones that are more commonly found in this city. It had beautiful pink flowers blooming out and dancing with the wind, while some of them were pushed just hard enough by the cool breeze that they let go and gently made their way down to the ground. The brown bark of the tree was dampened by the rain which soaked right into the wood, giving it a darker chocolate brown shade. It wasn’t until I glanced at the tree the second time that I noticed how pretty the color combination of brown and pink can be. I used to have dress of that combination once. I remember getting into the car with my parents once, wearing a dark brown dress decorated with pink beads and sequences on the neckline and a lovely pink belt tied around the waist. Maybe the man or woman who stitched and, or designed that dress had come across a blossom tree too. After all, it is nature where we find most of our inspiration for creativity. Allah (swt) makes such magnificent creations for us to let us know how much he loves and appreciates us, and so in return we appreciate Him five times a day, everyday!
There was something out of place in the whole setting of the street you see. The tree was where it ought to be, growing on grass under the blue sky, and being showered with rain and sunlight. The setting was as natural as it could get, but there was so much chaos and manmade life around it, that it got pushed behind. Hovered by the shadows of the tall CNN buildings and the complex architect of the Art Gallery, the tree looked underappreciated. Millions of people walk by it and around it every second of the day, but when do they ever stop to notice the beauty?
When was the last time you glanced at something natural and beautiful? Did you take a minute to admire it?
Have a great weekend my lovely cherry blossoms!
Yours Truly x
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Title: Quote by Donald G. Mitchell.
