The passing of the cherry buds

On my morning yomp around my neighbourhood, I’ve noted the trees which have been blown down by storms Dudley and Eunice.

There are two separate places where cherry trees have been uprooted.  What struck me most was the fact that they were packed with multitudes of rosy buds.  Until the storm, they had been preparing to burst forth in their full glory in the spring.  Even as the trunks lay beyond salvage, half across the pavement, the buds were still undamaged and ready to blossom.  Those cherry trees had not known that they were about to be felled by the wind.

A couple of days ago, we heard that Nigel’s much-loved uncle had died very suddenly.  He was still active in life in so many wonderful ways.  He had shown no signs of approaching his end.

I guess the people who will be missed most are those who had more blooms to offer.  So we all must put out our buds in hope each year and if we are spared to see them flower and fruit, we should give thanks.

 

Photo by Arno Smit on Unsplash

Cherry Blossom Against a Blue Sky

Teachers get a fortnight off at Easter and I was both lucky and unlucky enough to spend only a day of it at home.  

We took a family holiday in Cornwall, then I stayed on with my parents.  Then, because it fitted in with Nigel’s work commitments, Amsterdam.  Tiring but brilliant.

My question of holidays is always “What can you teach my every day life?”

Because, in the words of Franz Ferdinand, “It’s always better on holiday.”

This time what I noticed was my relationship with my camera.  On holiday, sights seem more significant.  The thought that I might never be in that place again gives everything I see a uniqueness that has to be captured.  I was constantly snapping away.

Actually, for most of my Easter break, both in Cornwall and Amsterdam, the weather was grey and often wet. 

The sun reserved its transformative glory for when we got back.

But when we got back, I was busy catching up with work. 

Then I trundled my shopping bag on wheels down to the Co-op for essentials.  I looked up and saw young green plane leaves mingling with cherry blossom against the bluest sky.  I hadn’t seen anything more beautiful than that in Amsterdam or Cornwall.  The place where I live is also unique. 

And I stopped and took a photo.