Editor’s Letter

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Yellow. Pretty. And all over the yard.

Dad grumbled about them. But he also grumbled every time the Cubs lost. Frequency dilutes the shock-factor, so I paid little attention to his complaints. I thought dandelions were bright and beautiful. Like sunshine in the yard.

And how better to brighten Mom’s day, than handfuls of yellow sunshine flowers?! Plus, I needed to rub them under my chin to see if I liked butter. (Imagine the a-ha! moment when I learned the trick was to hold dandelions beneath the chin; rubbing them into the skin was at my big brother’s direction.) Pfffft.

Mom accepted my gift and placed the already-wilting wayward stems in a vase. My pride, too, began to wilt when aforementioned brother blurted that I just gave Mom weeds.

I squinted, staring at him super hard, trying to burn a hole in his forehead. Unfortunately that trick only worked in cartoons. Because believe me, I tried.

Yet Mom’s hug said she liked my pretty weeds, and the look she gave Dave told me I was still her (momentary) favorite. And. That’s. All. That. Mattered.

I moonwalked out of the room in triumph. Then washed my chin.

Fast-forward 20 years. My yard, too, was drenched in dandelions. Then came precious little Courtney Sue and her rumblin’ tumblin’ toddler brother, Calvin. Courtney’s handful of golden brilliance was beautifully arranged. Beside her was Cal in his orange t-shirt and overalls. He thrust forward a sticky fist, jumping with excitement. A few dandelions dropped to the floor without his notice, and I welcomed the remainder from his fist. I hugged both my sweet babes, Cal raced off to his next adventure, and Courtney and I talked about pretty flowers + the beauty in thoughtfulness; that it was pure goodness. On that day, I declared dandelions are flowers, too.

In this month of May, let’s recognize goodness when we see it. Let’s celebrate moms on Mother’s Day. Let’s take time to see our children and recognize their efforts. Let’s find exciting ways to explore the lakes area + the waves within our waters. Let’s cherish history and send a nod of respectful reverence toward the skies on Memorial Day for all heroes who lost their lives while serving this great country. Let’s not forget where we came from, while recognizing how far we’ve come. And if your little tyke thrusts forward a fistful of dandelions, remember beauty truly is in the eye of the be-hold-er. Your tyke sees just beauty—in the flowers, and in you. Let’s see as they do now and then.

Happy May days to all readers, and a blessed Mother’s Day to moms throughout Kosciusko County, Above, and beyond.

Enjoy this May issue. It’s created just for you.

Warmly,

Executive-Editor-Who-No-Longer-Rubs-Plants-On-Her-Face