PUSHING THROUGH

We’d had a big snowstorm a few days earlier but, with the sun out and the temperature above freezing, the snow was beginning to melt.

My son Alex and I were headed to my car, going out to do some errands, when I noticed a small dandelion trying it’s best to push through a patch of snow.

“Oh, I know just how you feel.” I said to the little flower as I took my phone out to snap it’s picture.

“Who are you talking to?” Alex asked as he stood at the passenger door of my car, looking at me over the roof.

“My little dandelion friend over here!” I bent down to get a closer shot of it.

Alex came around to my side of the car. I was just standing back up and held the phone out for

him to see. “What do you think?”

“Wow, a dandelion in February.” He handed me back my phone. “That’s impressive.”

“That’s more than impressive.” I said as I opened my car door and climbed in. I waited for him to get in before I continued. “It gives me hope and makes me feel like I’m not the only one struggling through each day.”

Alex nodded as he put on his seat belt.

“I’m serious!” I snapped my own seat belt into place.“With the last couple of weeks I’ve had I could use a little encouragement from a dandelion. It just showed me that sometimes you just have to keep pushing through!”

Alex started to laugh. “You got all that from a dandelion?”

“Hey, there was a reason that little flower was right next to my car door.” I began backing out of the driveway. “It could have been in the middle of the yard where I wouldn’t have seen it, but it wasn’t.” I put the car in drive and we were on our way. “I honestly feel we’re given signs all the time.” I looked over at Alex. “We just have to be open to seeing them.”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I know you’re big on symbolism but sometimes when you see a cardinal in the back yard it might not mean you’re getting a visit from someone who’s passed. It might just mean you filled the bird feeders.”

“Hey!” I laughed. “I filled the feeders days ago! That cardinal I showed you this morning was a sign!”

Alex sighed and patted me on the shoulder. “Of course it was.”

I had to laugh. “I know you’re more pragmatic than I am but I can’t help it. Every time I see something unusual I can’t help but feel it’s trying to tell me something.”

We were stopped at a red light when all of a sudden a small white feather gently floated past the windshield. I looked over at Alex raising my eyebrows. “Well?”

“I’m not saying a word.” He sighed as he shook his head.

“Exactly.” The light turned green and we were back on our way. “By the way remind me to call Toni when we get home. I’m pretty sure that one was for her.”