March 30, 2008
Shari, my daughter, and I just returned from the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This is a spring celebration in Washington, DC commemorating the March 27, 1912 gift to the city of Japanese cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo. Thousands of cherry trees line the tidal basin, and more on some parts of the National mall. 
This is the weekend when the blossoms peaked, and I thought I just have to see it again before wind or rain blow the blooms off. Five years ago we went, but skipped going the succeeding years – we don’t actually appreciate sights, memorials, important places when they are close by. This time, in line with my ‘live life to the fullest’ credo, I decided to go, even by myself, if no one will take me. Shari was so good to break her hermit routine to accompany me on this special afternoon.
The weather was overcast, and a little too cold for me, but it was alright. Traffic was as expected – horrendous! . Even before we turned to Pennsylvania Avenue, traffic slowed down to a crawl. We had to coast in bumper to bumper traffic and was led (by the signs) to the parking lot, which is of course, the farthest from where we wanted to go. There were lots of people in the National Mall. Each year, it is estimated that more than 700,000 people visit Washington to see the cherry blossoms. We finally decided to take pictures from the car, and find parking somewhere. We had to walk some ways – maybe a mile – to take a couple of pictures. My right leg is still weak and cannot withstand long walks.
But the cherry blossoms are worth the wait, the traffic, the time, the walk, the pain. The sight is magical: once a year in the spring, instead of green leaves, all the cherry trees show off a beautiful blush of pink flowers. On some areas, it is just tree trunks, limbs, and pink canopies. Where they line water’s edge is when the scenery is even more glorious. Here is God showing one of nature’s splendor – and I just don’t want to miss it. Heaven will have more beautiful display than this, I am sure, but for now, I just want to see it, take a mental picture, and let this beautiful sight be forever etched in my memory.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Cor 2: 9
“Lord, this is already beautiful – I cannot wait to see what You have prepared for me.”
