Cherry Trees Just Keep on Giving

Every spring in Japan, I am reminded of the cycle of life through nature’s gift of the cherry tree. Its blossoms are glorious in their ultimate radiant pinks and whites with their fluffy-looking texture. But I especially enjoy the way we can watch them “come out and emerge” – first the small, reddish-green buds on completely bare branches, and then the slow but sure transformation of the trees as the blossoms emerge in their full glory.

Everyone from colleagues at work to taxi drivers talk at length about the status of the trees as the blossoms emerge (are they 10% full? 30%? or more?), in anticipation of when they will be “peak” – and importantly, what is the best date for organizing the corresponding “cherry blossom viewing parties.” Weather reports are carefully monitored on a several-times-daily basis, since the cherry blossoms’ journey is greatly affected by environmental conditions. A slight shift in temperature, either higher or lower, can halt or hasten the situation dramatically, throwing even the best-orchestrated plans into disarray.

The full blooms last only a few days at best before they begin to leave us. Rain and wind are often detrimental, especially at this point. I find that even the final days of the blossoms can be very enjoyable; I love the wispy feeling of them on my face as they flutter delicately through the breezes that bring the promise of spring.

Finally, the blossoms disappear completely, replaced by thick, fresh green leaves that almost make you forget what was there before – but not quite. Such is the caregiver journey, with all of its ups and downs: planning under the threat of unexpected (and often uncontrollable) circumstances, making the most of the situation nonetheless and somehow, some way finding a way forward with renewed perspective.

See beautiful time lapse “sakura blooming” below.