This summer brought a scorching drought to Massachusetts, with rainfall 7.6 inches less than the expected summer average, according to WBUR News. Around the Worcester and Boston area, where I live, the drought has been declared an "extreme drought," with the total rainfall averaging at 8.3 inches below the summer average. The enormous lack of rain dried out the whole area, destroying much of the plant life in the process. In addition, a great deal of the towns have been enforcing a water ban, which prohibits residents from using sprinklers to water their lawns, and severely limits the use of handheld hoses.
One extremely warm morning, as I rounded the corner on my morning run, I had to stop and stare at something that has caught my eye. A Black Eyed Susan in full bloom by the side of the road. I was in shock; how could something so beautiful continue to survive in such desolate conditions? As I continued my run (by now it was more like a shuffle as the heat was getting worse), I began to notice more life around me, and realized how much I could stand to learn from such small little natural wonders.
Lesson 1: Give More, Take Less
Modern society is nothing if not greedy. Take, take, take: it is what we have been programmed to do by the successful people we see in media. However, there are some things in this world that remind me that it pays to give more than you take. One of these such things is a plant known as Bee Balm. Bee Balm a gorgeous, tall, red flower that attracts hummingbirds because of its sweet nectar and bright color. The plant requires water, but very little compared to the amount of nectar it gives to birds, and the amount of joy it brings to my family and I as we watch hummingbirds flit from flower to flower. The Bee Balm has taught me to love what I can give to people, and not focus on what I need from them.
Lesson 2: Stand Out (Crab Grass)
When I look around my lawn today, it is pretty bleak. Withered lilies sit under a drooping holly tree, and the grass crunches beneath my bare feet. Suddenly, a pop of color among the yellow and brown: Crabgrass. I know what you're thinking, "Ew, she has crabgrass in her lawn? What a peasant." Well, maybe. But weed or not, that crabgrass is now the only thing lending my lawn any color now that the grass is dead. That said, the grass taught me to do what makes me happy and stand out in a crowd because sometimes, your uniqueness can make someone smile.
Lesson 3: Your Upbringing Does Not Define You
Driving along the highway I am always astounded by those little purple flowers stubbornly growing under overpasses. The campanula flower is also known for growing in high altitudes and in generally rough parts of cities and highways. I admire these little flowers because they can also grow well in gardens and flower boxes, despite what they have endured. The campanula flowers teach us not to judge a person, or a flower, based on where they came from, but to focus on who they are and what they have to offer the world.
Lesson 4: It Is Okay To Be A "Late Bloomer"
Hiding in the wilted ruins of my graveyard of a garden, something green quietly germinates. In mid July, my mom and I noticed something actually alive in the garden: mint. I am not sure if mint always blooms later than other plants, but maybe our mint is just special, because it did not show itself until the other plants had already died. Thanks to the mint, my parents and I were able to enjoy some pretty killer Mojitos and salads. Sometimes, being a little bit late in life, or doing something after your friends, is totally worth it.
Lesson 5: Resilience In The Face Of Adversity
I wanted to close with the beautiful Black Eyed Susan's, which I am happy to say are now growing in my garden. I used to watch the news, listening to the chaos caused by the drought: stunted fall crops, danger to thousands of fish and aquatic animals, wildlife dying of thirst, and rivers running dangerously low. Now, I still acknowledge all of these things, but I remember the Black Eyed Susan's and their outstanding resilience in the harshest of conditions. The flowers sit quietly in the shade or wave gently in a hot summer breeze, never allowing the blistering heat to wilt their golden petals. I think everyone can learn from these pretty little flowers. We are reminded that being strong and standing tall is not an easy thing to do, but it is completely worth the fight, and others will learn and grow from your example.
As I await rain this summer, I cannot help but to admire these plants. We have always been taught to be aware of the lessons that nature can teach us, but who would have expected to learn such strength from such small flowers? It just goes to show that life is full of surprises.
