gone with the wind

Soap-bubbles, dandelion clocks (or blowballs, as they're called) and wishful dreams are equally solid-grounded and permanent (which means not at all) but also equally lighthearted. They're wonderful even if or even because they're so fragile in their beauty and it takes no more than a soft breeze till they're gone with the wind. Dissolved, away, for ever. I love and soap-bubbles although I know they won't last. Have you ever tried to get hold of a soap-bubble when you were a child? It's so disappointing that the slightest touch destroys them in an instant! How peaceful and beautiful is it when they float away into the sky before the inevitable bursting... Every child learns that they're no consistent toy – but you can make some new, and again, and again... There's not much difference with dandelion clocks, they're just not as colourful and if you haven't blown strong enough you'll find the little seeds everywhere. Still, they're gone anyway and won't come back. A small child may cry when there are no blowballs left. Who thinks of all the flowers that will grow in a year's time? The little seeds are gone and only a sad stalk is left. End of the story. Dreams often burst like soap-bubbles or float away in pieces like the seeds of a dandelion clock and leave you behind disappointed. That's life and that always will be. Just sometimes – a tiny chance – things you have given up long before turn out to have a wonderful outcome. A dream, a wish, long time ago shattered, dead and buried gets fulfilled even better than imagined. A happy end although the villain had won. It happens. I once read a childrens book where Kasimir, a little squirrel, became best friends with a dandelion that grew on the meadow where he lived. They spent a wonderful spring and summer together and when the dandelion finally had become a blowball, it promised Kasimir that it would always be there and return if he now blew strong enough. Kasimir was sad and disappointed discovering that his friend was gone. He left, thinking everything was over and he had been lied to. After a sad and lonely winter he returned to the meadow to discover that it was over and over covered with dandelions. Ok, I know that this is just a story. In a children's book. Anyway, isn't it wonderful to keep in mind that some things aren't as eliminated from the earth as they seem to be. Every time you blow a dandelion clock, you plant flowers for the next year. Death and life, disappointment and hope. There are shattered dreams and there is the wonder of something that was Gone With The Wind and still has a happy ever after*.

(* If you don't believe me, just watch the movie or read the book with the same title. This does neither mean that I like, support or recommend it. It was – in combination with the photo – only an inspiration for reflections)