Recently, we visited family in Texas. It is so beautiful this time of year in the Lone Star state. The roadsides and fields are full with striking colorful palates. Vibrant blues, pinks, and whites stretch far and wide amongst the cattle and longhorns.
However, out of all these florals, the bluebonnet reigns supreme. Anyone who has lived here knows of it and its associated spring ritual. Once they bloom in March and April, it is time to bring your pets, babies, and the rest of the family into the fields for an annual picture amongst the shades of vibrant blue. I have yet to meet a family that has not participated in this activity at least once.
Texas is a special place and all Texans know it. We are told through family stories it is illegal to pick this beloved state flower. However, I recently learned contrary to this folklore, there is no law that specifies one cannot pick an individual single bluebonnet (as long as not trespassing, destroying property, etc).
However, you may be seriously judged and get bad Texas vibes. Therefore, I am not going to pick any, y'all!
Another fun fact, I was offered to place Texas soil under the bed during labor so my baby could be "born on Texas soil". Unfortunately, I did not bring dirt in my labor bag. But apparently, this is a thing.
The idea of state flowers came from the World Columbian Exposition of 1893, otherwise known as the Chicago World Fair. Eventually, every state selected a unique blossom that represented themselves. Texas chose the bluebonnet in 1901. It won over the two other options of cotton and the prickly pear cactus' yellow flower.
It is also lovely to see pollinators amongst the florals this time of year. In particular, there are many monarch butterflies. Which makes sense. Being in the north, we do not have any in the winter, the butterflies migrate south to warmer climates.
These creatures are quite fascinating. Essentially, they travel in generations. It is not the same butterfly who travels north, but the subsequent age group. The year's final generation is the one who completes the journey and migrates south again.
Sometimes, even in our human lives, seeds are planted that we may not see their full growth, However, that does not diminish the importance of the lessons and values we teach. The next generation picks up where we leave off.
As I state in my podcast introduction, our work as parents is more important than we realize. For example, think about it, just five generations from now, you will have approximately 30 descendants and the number continues to multiply. Just like the monarch butterflies, we are more powerful to the world's journey than we know.
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