Throughout my lifetime, I have received countless bouquets of flowers.  Roses, daisies, carnations, lilies, orchids, and mixed arrangements of flowers so beautiful, so dazzling, they would take your breath away.  And they did.  

Until I met dandelions.

I received my first bouquet of dandelions from my young children.

I remember the day that dandelions entered my life. No longer were these flowers something to walk on, despise, poison with weed killer, and mow as quickly as possible.  

Dandelions instantly became my most cherished flowers.  They are extraordinary.

And yes, they are flowers.  Never mind that the garden and nursery stores proclaim termination for these annual golden treasures.  Never mind that your yard is considered the “slum” of the neighborhood if a dandelion dares to boldly display its bright yellow flower in a sea of lush green.  

Let’s, for just a moment, analyze the science and beauty of dandelions.

The scientific name for dandelions is Taraxacin Officinale.  Officinale tacked on to the name means that they are used medicinally.  Dandelion, also known as lion’s tooth, puffball, and monk’s head, consists of about 40 species worldwide.  The dandelion was introduced from Europe and has been used as a potherb and medicinal plant since Roman times. It has a high vitamin and mineral content. Mature leaves are often dried and used to make a mild tea. Roots are often used to make stronger tea or dried and used for various medicinal purposes including a mild diuretic.  Dandelion greens are wonderful in salads, sautéed, or steamed.

 The leaves are more nutritious than anything you can buy. They’re higher in beta-carotene than carrots. The iron and calcium content is phenomenal, greater than spinach.  All this from a tasty, free vegetable that grows in virtually every lawn. 

Dandelion root is one of the safest and most popular herbal remedies.  It’s supposed to strengthen the entire body, especially the liver and gallbladder. The root and leaf made into a tea act on the kidneys as a gentle diuretic and is recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. 

Now for the beauty of the dandelion.  These are no ordinary flowers.

Dandelions are legitimate flowers.  Trust me on this one.  Just ask my children.  I have received bunches of dandelion bouquets (sometimes wilted ones too!) over the years.  

Ask any Mom. We know. We know the look on our children’s faces when they breathlessly run up to us and proudly say, “Look what I picked for you!”  If you don’t believe me, try it yourself.  During the spring, just as the dandelions are beginning to peek their brilliant yellow heads into the sunshine, take a child to the park.  Observe their wild abandon as they run about picking huge bouquets of their favorite flowers.  Watch their faces as they see an entire field of sunshine yellow right before their eyes.  They pick the dandelions and hand them to you in a most beautiful bouquet.

Then take them back to the park a short time later.  Watch and observe their reaction to the “wishes in the grass,” as our children call them.  Watch as the dandelion seeds are carried away by the wind and travel like tiny parachutes to faraway places.  This time you may not see your children running with wild abandon.  You might see them settle into the grass, pluck a dandelion, and cite silent (or not-so-silent) wishes.  Eyes closed, heads tilted upwards, children’s wishes are whispered and sent into the heavens.  

These are magical flowers.

Who doesn’t have a wish to send into a bright, windy day?  Who couldn’t benefit from the sheer enjoyment of watching wishes take flight to make your dreams come true?  

Who would…who could pass up the chance to wish upon a dandelion?

Watching the world through a child’s eyes…what better way to keep youth as an adult than to watch childhood in the making.  

Every. Single Time.

Adults should enjoy the enchantment of childhood.  And the magic that takes us back to our childhood.

In our home, we don’t say the “w” word.  You know what I mean.  That four-letter (weed) word that chastises the true nature of the dandelion.  Here we have vases ready to display these childhood wonders.  We put them in many rooms in the house.  We celebrate their magic because we celebrate the magic of childhood. 

Perhaps florists should start selling dandelion bouquets.  Just think of the entrepreneurial spirit this concept demonstrates.  Think of the money one could make by cornering the market on dandelions.  The internet and e-sales.  The street vendors.  Mother’s Day.  Father’s Day.  Grandarents’ Day.  Sweetest Day.  Kids’ Day.  Heck, Dandelion Day.  The list goes on and on.

But then again, you can’t buy or sell magic or childhood.  You can only feel it inside your soul and see it through the eyes of a child.

So go pick some dandelions with or without your kids.  I guarantee that you’ll never have an ordinary day again. Or… maybe write a children’s book about dandelions?!

Family Ink: The Mother and Son Storytelling Team