My Collision

Quite by accident, I happened to be in Washington D.C. when the cherry blossoms were in bloom. It was a certain sign of spring, even though the weather said otherwise. The trees were spectacular against a brisk, blue sky. I managed to snap a quick photo for you at a traffic light, with a minivan filled with kiddies begging, "Are we there yet?"

Did you know..Japan gave The United States 3,020 cherry blossom trees in 1912 as a gift of friendship? These trees were planted in Sakura Park in Manhattan and throughout the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. A subsequent gift of 3,800 trees occurred in 1965. Actually, many cities across the country have been recipients of these trees including Newark, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Japanese celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom with festivals. Most Japanese schools and public buildings have cherry blossom trees planted outside. {I had no idea!} The quick bloom and death of the blossom represents mortality to the Japanese. The arrival of the blooms also signifies a much awaited spring. {if I ever end up in the Cash Cab, I hope I get a question about cherry blossoms}

Honestly, it got me thinking about the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan. The scale of tragedy is almost too much to comprehend. It makes my decorating/fashion/funny kids posts seem quite trivial in comparison. (Who cares which font I choose for a monogram??) That said, I decided to help by donating to the Red Cross. You can too by clicking here www.redcross.org
and select "Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami". Funny how the cherry blossoms, Japan, and a gift of friendship all collided for me this week.

tb