CLOVER CONFETTI

I was standing in the front yard with my husband Steven looking at our lawn. “You know I really love the look of clover sprinkled through the lawn.” I said. “It’s like a clover confetti party right in our own front yard!”

Steven looked over at me with a confused look on his face. “Really?”

“I do.” I insisted. “Do you know I was walking in the neighborhood the other day and I overheard a little girl asking her Mom what the pretty white flowers were called.” I shook my head in annoyance. “Do you know what the Mom said?”

Steven shook his head. “What?”

“She said it was a weed!” I bent down and picked one of the clover flowers. “Can you believe that?” I held it up to my nose to see if they had a scent, but didn’t smell anything. “I really wanted to turn around and say ‘It’s called clover, honey. The bees and bunnies love them!’”

“But you didn’t, right?” Steven looked concerned.

“No.” I sighed looking at the flower. “But how can you call this a weed?”

Steven laughed. “A lot of people do.”

“Some people do.” I corrected him. “But it’s also good for the pollinators.” I looked over at Steven. “Now that you’ve got a pretty big garden going aren’t you glad we’re attracting pollinators?”

Steven shrugged his shoulders. “Well, it wasn’t my intention, but I guess so.” He pointed to several dandelions popping up in the lawn. “Are you thinking they’re weeds?”

I sighed. “Well, that’s a different story.” I went over and picked a few of the little yellow flowers. “I like them when they’re like this.” I held it out to him. “But when they turn into puff balls? I’m not a fan.”

I made a small bouquet with my clover and dandelions. “This reminds me of when the boys were little.” I couldn’t help but smile at the memory. “I’d get bouquets like this all the time.”

Steven nodded. “I remember. You had a little vase that you kept on the kitchen windowsill for them.”

“That’s exactly where these are going.” I said as I headed back into the house with Steven following me.

As I headed for the kitchen my son Alex passed me. I held up my little bouquet. “This brings back so many memories.” I said as I kissed him on the cheek.

I went into the kitchen and got the small vase I’d always used and was filling it up with water when Alex was at my side holding out some more clover flowers and another dandelion.

“Here you go.” He said as he handed them to me.

“Aw…” I took them and added them to my bouquet. “You always know how to win my heart.”

Alex looked over at Steven and smiled. “It doesn’t take much, does it?”

“Nope.” Steven shook his head and laughed. “You guys could give her a rock and she’d gush over it.”

“Hey!” I said as I put the vase on the windowsill. “I’ve filled a jar with all the rocks you’ve given me over the years.” I leaned against the counter, crossed my arms and looked over at Alex. “As a matter of fact I’m still collecting the shells you’ve given me every year when we go to the beach.”

Alex looked out the window. “It’s a beautiful day. Do you want to go to the beach after dinner?”

“Definitely!” I said as I went to the refrigerator. “I’ll start cooking right now.”