Like a Weed 

A while back, my granddaughter had to laugh so hard when she told me that my fine, fly-away hair is like ‘Dandelion Hair’ – but it stuck, so I decided to tell my dandelion story.

Dandelions have deep roots, and so do I – in the Netherlands.

Dandelions are part of the Sunflower family – bright, glorious, and colorful.

But, when the wind is just right, dandelions fly away – as did I at 18, taking my first plane ride to the USA where I touched down at Duke University – a time of (dandelion) wine and roses.

After blowing in the wind, I landed in Atlanta – and that is where I continue to bloom and flourish. I started my own family, found a huge garden of friends and colleagues, and even after three big surgeries in one year, kept coming back up – just like a weed.

My granddaughter and I connect through stories: they are our dreams and wishes. We play pretend, we do art, and we read stories on Facetime, though less now that she has entered elementary school.

It is said that when you blow hard on a dandelion, and all the seeds fly up in the air, your wishes will come true. As a dandelion, or at least as someone with dandelion hair, I like to think that my loved ones’ wishes will come true, and that I will continue to spread and find new joys.

Materials used: Crow quill pen, black ink, watercolor pencils, chalk, white and terra cotta pencils, Micron #20 pen for lettering.