When our lilac bush was blooming recently I was reminded of the lilacs we used to have in our backyard when I was growing up. One year my mom picked a bunch for me to take in to the teacher. I remember the teacher exclaiming about how beautiful they were and I was so proud when she displayed them on her desk. We never had a lot of extra money to buy things for school faculty members. My mom always made it a point to do what she could but she was not one of those smiley women who showed up with cupcakes for the whole class. (Not that there were that many of them but there were indeed some). I was a quiet child who seldom asked for favors or tried to be noticed. So when I did get a little attention lavished on me because of that simple bouquet of flowers, I felt like a princess.
It's amazing what a simple inexpensive gesture can do for yourself and for others. It's the random act of kindness, the senseless act of beauty that counts for more than some extravagant gesture.
This year and last I took lilacs to a woman at work who loves them so much. Last year we had a banner crop and I was able to make several people smile. I makes me wonder what else I can do for others.... perhaps a rose, a tomato from the garden, a few homemade cookies. It's a way to spread joy and gladness.