Hydrangeas

Last spring, we moved to a new house. One morning about a month after we moved, I was pleasantly surprised to find hydrangeas everywhere. Hydrangeas in front of our house, hydrangeas in the backyard, hydrangeas out of our living room window. A week later, they were still there. Another week later, they were still there. These gorgeous hydrangeas, blooming and blooming for weeks on end.

Finally the day came when they began to wilt and their colors began to fade. The time had come; their bloom was over. I was a bit sad they were leaving, but happier that they stayed for so long. I could hardly wait to see them again next year.

This year, I noticed the hydrangeas one day. They looked good. Life went on. We travelled, and worked, and ate dinners as a family. The kids started new camps and tried new sports. I read new books. Today, I looked out and saw that they had begun to wilt, their colors beginning to fade. The time had come, their bloom was ending. I’ll have to hold on to these last few days, because this year, somehow, I barely noticed them. 

With the hydrangeas, I’ll forgive myself. I get another chance next spring to appreciate their beauty, softness, and scent. But what else might currently be in full bloom around me? And when it begins to wilt, will I wish I had noticed it more?