So I yesterday put my bike on the back of my car and went downtown to see them. They did not disappoint. In fact, they did exactly what they do every year. Make me cry. And that's a good thing. What a relief that my heart hasn't become so stiff and frozen over the winter that it can't be melted again by such beauty. I biked along the gravel paths between the Capitol building and the Lincoln memorial and down around the tidal basin and took in the sea of blossoms with tears coming down my cheeks like a gosh dang springtime fool. It was awesome.
Thousands of glorious pink blooms everywhere I looked. Reminders that the cold and dark doesn't last forever. Joy comes in the morning, right? And oh what a wonderful morning it was. Dads flying kites with their kids. Young men and women playing frisbee football. Joggers everywhere. Families on spring break. Happy dogs galore. So of course, the cherry blossoms weren't the only thing that made me cry.
Not far from the gigantic feet of Abraham Lincoln stood a quartet of men singing hymns a capella. One of them held a tall wooden cross with the words "Amazing Grace" painted on it. I stopped my bike and took out my earbuds. With a lump in my throat, I managed to croak out "you all sound beautiful!" and got back on my bike. One of them heard me and said "God bless you!" How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, indeed. I'm glad I had a tissue in my pocket.
As I biked back up toward the Washington Monument weaving through other bikers, joggers and strollers, a girl in a billowing formal gown caught my eye. She carried her skirts with purpose up to a spot a where a photographer was waiting. Her parents and siblings towing behind. Her quinceanera celebration maybe? As I passed her I said "you look so beautiful!!" She turned, a little surprised, and broke out into the most delighted smile. I pedaled away, things looking a bit blurry until I found that tissue again.
Back up towards the Capitol building, more to take in. An older couple reading a guidebook on a bench, a brother sticking his foot out to trip his big sister, a family on a blanket setting up a picnic, and more happy dogs of all shapes and sizes. I stopped a couple of times to take pictures with my phone, knowing they wouldn't do any of it justice. I pedaled along towards a row of food trucks.
I found myself stopping near a group of ladies in white bonnets and long dresses, Mennonites, I think. They were investigating the menu on a Halal food truck. I thought to myself what a wonderful city this is. What a wonderful country this is. How wonderful to see so much color and culture and humanity in one place. As I watched the ladies pay for their gyros and turn towards me, I wanted to tell them how beautiful I thought they were and hey isn't this a wonderful city, but I was afraid they'd think I was a weirdo. Of course, they'd be right. Plus, my tissue had reached its capacity. So I smiled at them and biked on towards my car.
I drove back across the Potomac, sparkling in the noon sun, having gotten what I came for. I thanked God and mother nature for the cherry blossoms in the city I love so much. For springtime. For hope.
