Thursday, May 1, 2008

A Gift from Mother Nature:

When I moved to this area of Jersey, more than 30 years ago, there were few homes and even fewer businesses. We had the privilege to having plenty of open space. This land was filled with many varies of wildflowers. Tigerlilies lined the streets and wisteria decorated many trees and structures. Perhaps because lilacs are one of my favorite flowers and because it graces me with its presents at the time of my birthday, it was among one of flowers I noticed all those years ago. Standing at the end of my block was one beautiful large lilac bush. As the years have passed, many of the wooded lots have been replaced with homes, large box stores and strip malls, but this lilac bush as been spared and, in fact, has thrived. It now stands easily over 12 feet tall and no less than 20 feet around. No picture I could take would show its grand size. Each year I think about taking a few clippings, however I never do, always thinking, if everyone clipped just one flower, no one would be able to enjoy the beauty of this giant with the hundreds of fragrant blooms. Even in a gentle breeze the aroma can be detected for what seems a mile away.

Our town is undergoing a major growth spurt and I fear “my” birthday bush will soon fall victim to a bulldozer. Last evening under the cover of dark, B, LW and I, with pruners in hand, walked down to this beauty and in what seemed like a quite ceremony cut several blooms. I fear it will be the last year I receive the gift of sweet beauty from this flora.


6 comments:

L^2 said...

I really hope you don't lose all the lilac bushes. I always enjoy them too. The blooms I posted with my TT I just picked from one of the large bushes in my Sister's yard late this afternoon. :-)

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I love lilac bushes. Growing up we had a white one. I got a start from my aunts a few years ago and it has been moved several times and chewed on by the dog. It is now in a perfect sunny spot that it will be able to grow as big as it likes without fear of the dog. It has not bloomed for me yet, but it is about 3 feet tall and looking quite healthy. I'm hoping it will bloom next year. It will have been in it's new home for about 3 years by then.

Rhea said...

Gorgeous bush and flowers! I hope it doesn't go. If it looks like it might, you should try to dig and uproot it...rebury it in your backyard. hehe

Ivanhoe said...

My neighbors have lilac tree. It's in full bloom now and I keep forgeting to ask them if I can chop a few blooms for my vase. I love its aroma. Happy Birthday! I hope your lilac remains there forever.

Unknown said...

I love lilac! how sad they may get rid of it. :( I don't think ours are blooming yet but don't they smell GREAT!

Teena in Toronto said...

Lilacs are one of my fav flowers.