Growing kindness and gratitude

Every year for Mother’s Day I give flower pots from a local greenhouse to my mom and my mother-in-law. It’s a great way to show our appreciation, and it brightens their yard and gives them something to enjoy all summer and into the fall.

I typically choose an arrangement of common varieties, such as geraniums or petunias, that has already been potted and ready for purchase.

This year I decided to take it up a notch. The theme is kindness and gratitude, and I’m planting the pots myself so I can get a little more time outdoors after this long winter.

There are symbols of kindness all around us, and flowers are one of the most vivid. The “kindness” flower I have chosen is the dahlia. A native of Mexico and Central America, the dahlia is a perennial bloomer in warmer climates. Here in the frozen tundra, however, we must dig up the tubers in the fall and replant each spring if we want them to return.

I chose an annual variety of dahlias for the pots instead.

In addition to kindness, the dahlia is a symbol of elegance, beauty, confidence and dignity. Dahlia also represents inner strength, illustrating that being kind is also strong.

Hello “Dahlia!”

The first European-grown species of dahlia bloomed in the early 1800s. In 1824, Lord Holland sent his wife a note containing the following verse:

“The dahlia you brought to our isle

Your praises for ever shall speak;

Mid gardens as sweet as your smile,

And in colour as bright as your cheek.”

Now there are nearly 50 species of dahlias. That’s 50 ways to radiate kindness, in a variety of colors!

To complement the beautiful, late-blooming dahlia, I made sure to choose a symbol of gratitude that also happens to flower early in the season.

Sweet peas made the cut, as they represent both gratitude and appreciation. The delicate flowers are also fragrant, not to mention great pollinators.

“I appreciate you!” What a great message for a mother on her very special day.

I intend to carry this theme through to the pots at both newspaper offices. When you see our flower pots on Main Street in Carrington or on Central Avenue in New Rockford this summer, I hope the following two things come to mind:

• In a world where you can be anything, be KIND.

• Readers, advertisers and supporters, we appreciate you!