Mother's Day

Another fabulous Mother's Day has come and gone.  I figured that I should probably get this post made before it's too far past Mother's Day.  I had a fabulous Mother's Day and I enjoyed all of the handmade gifts the kids gave me from school and primary.  Most mothers want chocolates, jewelry, breakfast in bed, etc., but not this momma.  What I wanted?  An entire day to get comfy in bed and cross stitch the whole day, and that's just what I got to do on Saturday.  I was able to enjoy a day where I could just stitch to my little hearts content....It was the best present ever!!

Last year on Mother's Day we were able to attend church with my in-laws and it was during that sacrament meeting that I heard what has got to be my favorite talk on mother's.  I loved it so much that we asked the speaker if we could have a copy of it and he was generous to share it.  I love it so much that I want to share it here.  All of the credit for this amazing talk goes to Bret Wheadon and thank him for sharing these amazing thoughts.  

DANDELIONS AND MOTHERS

There is a primary song that is often sung on this day - the lyrics read:

“I often go walking in meadows of clover

and I gather armfuls of blossoms of blue;

I gather the blossoms the whole meadow over,

Dear mother, all flowers remind me of you.”

the second verse concludes with:

“For if I love blossoms and meadows and walking

I learn how to love them dear mother from you.”

We often give our Mothers flowers on this day.  Sweet-smelling Roses and Lilies, Carnations and Orchids are offered in beautiful bouquets, which is fit and proper, for as Christ said that flowers are more lovely than King Solomon in all his splendor, so our mothers are our most precious jewels.

But not all flowers are considered beautiful and lovely, or worthy of giving.  I would like to speak of one such flower.

In front of the school where I work, there is a rock garden, and in this rock garden there is a single, magnificent Dandelion growing.  It’s not at all like the small, scrubby ones that sprout up seemingly overnight in lawns and gardens, this one is large, and abundant with blossoms.  I love dandelions - I’ve long admired their resiliancy, the constancy, their sunny, yellow blossoms and the remarkable structure and symmetry of their spherical seed clusters.

Children love dandelions.  Lately, just as I have every year,  I have seen several young girls gathering large bunches of the dandelion’s bright, yellow blossoms into their small hands in order to present a treasured bouquet to their teachers, or to their mothers.  And every year I’ve had children come into the library adorned by wreaths of woven dandelion chains.  And if, by some lucky chance, the golden dandelion flower has escaped their grasping hands, it soon presents children with yet another gift: a magical wishing wand - which, when blown, sends fantastical fairy-like parachutes sailing into the air.  How many children’s wishes have been sent whirling into the ether on the wings of Dandelion seeds!  Yes, children love dandelions - they are one of God’s gifts to children.

I always loved to blow the Dandelion seeds.

 I believe God loves dandelions too.  Why else would he create something so strong, so beautiful, so whimsical, and so beneficial?  Yes - beneficial.  In thinking about this talk, I did some research on Dandelions, and found some amazing facts:

The scientific name for the Dandelion is Taraxacum - our name for them comes from the French: Dent de Lion meaning "lion's tooth", referring to the coarsely toothed leaves, and which suitably compliments its tawny, “mane-like” blossom.  Dandelions possess several useful properties:

Edibility

• Dandelions are edible in their entirety.  Dandelions are found on all continents and have been gathered for food since prehistory, especially those varieties native to Eurasia
  . Dandelion leaves and buds have been a part of traditional Greek, Sephardic, Chinese, and Korean cuisine.
• The flower petals can be pressed, and mixed with citrus, to make a refreshing summer drink. Dandelion root is one of the ingredients of root beer
  .and dandelion stems and leaves can be eaten in salads and sandwiches.
• Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese.

Medicinal uses

• Historically, dandelion was prized for a variety of medicinal properties, and it contains a wide number of pharmacologically active compounds. Dandelion is used as a herbal remedy in Europe, North America and China.   

Food for wildlife

• Dandleion seeds are an important food source for certain birds.
• Dandelions are also important plants for northern hemisphere bees, providing an important source of nectar and pollen early in the season.  Dandelions are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of butterflies and moths. They are also used as a source of nectar by some of the earliest emerging butterflies in the spring.

Benefits to gardeners

• The dandelion plant is classified as a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses, and is even a good companion plant for gardening. Its deep, searching taproot will bring up nutrients for shallower-rooting plants, and add minerals and nitrogen to soil. It is also known to attract pollinating insects and release ethylene gas which helps fruit to ripen.

As source of natural rubber

• Dandelion milk had been known to contain latex for a long time. The latex exhibited the same quality as the natural rubber from rubber trees.  The first prototype test tires made with blends from dandelion-rubber are scheduled to be tested on public roads over the next few years.

Yes, I believe that God loves Dandelions.  He made them strong, beautiful, useful, and fun.  He made them for the hands little children, and for discerning use by adults.  I hope that when the Savior comes again, and the earth becomes a garden place, that he will save a field of dandelions, so that children may always make a wish, and then send those wishes floating and tumbling into the air.

I hope no one is offended if I use the dandelion as a metaphor for mothers.  Like dandelions, mothers are strong and tenacious.  My Maternal Grandmother, Verma Dyal was like that - she joined the church shortly after meeting her future husband, over the fierce and unrelenting opposition of her family - a malice that never ceased in all her lifetime.  But she remained strong in her faith, and an unwavering lamp of righteousness to her children, which included my own mother.  Mothers are also fiercely devoted to their children:

The writer Washington Irving said:

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”   

Like dandelions, mother use all their parts to bless their families - every talent, tool and grace which God has blessed them with they are called upon to use - finding that they themselves are replenished and blessed through their tireless service.

Like dandelion roots, Mothers draw upon deep resevoirs of faith, bringing both spiritual and temporal nourishment to those around them.

Like Dandelions medicinal qualities, mothers are often called upon to give medial help to their small ones, but more often, their loving, healing words and balm-like embraces are what do the most good.

Like Dandleions, mothers breathe out words of comfort and love, and send silent prayers up to God so that their children will ripen in the gospel and know of His unfailing love.

Like a Dandelion, Mothers are fun - how much joy has been given to the world through the laughter and play of mothers, gathering their children into their arms much like a child gathers a bouquet of yellow blossoms in their hands, or even as God gathers us into his arms as his own children when we need comfort and solace.

And finally, like Dandelions, Mothers carefully send their children out into the world, like seeds of hope and possibility, raised with nuture and love, and then set free.  The sons of Helaman were nourished and knew of their Mother’s faith, and they grew to be men of tremendous spiritual strength and power.  We need mothers with that kind of faith in today’s world.

God bless all mothers, and God bless all dandelions.