The White Puff Ball Thing is Blooming

It is on the corner of the rockery that Ted built. Ted and Kaye. They were the official grandparents of the neighborhood. Ted had worked at a grocery store and retired when he was 65. He was in his 70's when we moved here. Kaye matched him step by step. He was an onery old fart. A stubborn German immigrant. He was opinionated and very set in his ways. He was a great neighbor. He had stories to tell and always a piece of candy for M-E from a crystal dish. We still have that dish and several other things from his home. An old secretary, a little desk, a couple of old framless oil paintings.

But better than all of that we have the White Puff Ball (WPB) that blooms for weeks during this time of the year. As I look out the window from this computer, I can see it. A constant reminder of him and the early days we were in this house. We have been here 11 years and a few months. This is the 11th time that the WPB has been a part of our spring. It makes me realize that no matter what is going on and uncertain things are right now, there is some certainty in the rhythm of the world and spring and the renewal of life. Ted and Kaye are gone but are still present in many ways. It is funny when we think of all our struggle to do something of value in this world and to make a difference prehaps the simple things make the most difference.

I look around our little neighborhood and am struck by the roses that Olga planted and grew despite total neglect. I see the stump of the completely out of control camilla from across the street that is battling back and will bloom next year. I see the two twigs we planted when we moved here and watch them reach for the sky. They are 30 feet tall and beautiful. I see the timber bamboo that Paul planted that is becoming a forest. I see the trees and circle that Michael has tended with such love and care. I see the pear tree that heard it was going if it did not bloom and I know deep in my heart that everything will be all right. Deep within us we have a renewing spirit that will not be squelched. M-E is feeling icky right now from the chemo but she is working on battling back. She is just not one to admit defeat. She has learned a lot from her neiborhood.