My niece said,
"Auntie, you can't do that, you're breaking the rules!"
To which I said,
"Yes I can, it's not illegal & will not conflict with my value system."
"BUT...Auntie!"
"But, what?"
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"fine."
And then that awkward silence between us because I prevailed over another disagreement & she couldn't end it with, "whatever".
I said,
"You know Sweetie...not all rules are what you think they are..."
"What's that suppose to mean?!"
she quips snappishly in her humbling defeat.
"Well...for starters, when you express in the public park,
"Don't pick the flowers! That's stealing!"
I say,
"the flowers are there because my tax dollars are hard at work beautifying my community. So therefore, these flowers have been well thought out regarding their destination in this park by the many fine men & women whom work for our city to make such difficult decisions for their fellow citizens. And since the decision was made to plant these absolutely beautiful flowers here, in this very spot for me, a citizen of this community, to enjoy, I choose to enjoy them by picking one to give to you with love from my heart & the blessing from the city council, as to beautify your day. And it will leave you with a wondeful heart-filled memory of you & me in this park on a glorious day in June, when your nearing your 14th birthday! These are the moments I must seize, as you are growing so fast & someday will be so busy with your own life & all I will have in my lonely old days as an Auntie, are memories like these. Memories of me picking flowers for my beautiful niece whom I love so much!"
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"Well then, why don't you pick the weeds?"
"Oh but I do my dear Miss. It is what you hold in your hand. It is not a flower, it is actually considered a weed. Not all things of beauty are as they appear. And here you thought this a flower, when it's really a weed."
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"oh, whatever Auntie..."
I just laughed as I summated the whole hysterical event with--
" And so criticized each flower,
The supercilious seed;
Until it woke one summer hour,
And found itself a weed."
-Mildred Howells, The Different Seed
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"I love you sweetie !"
"I love you too Auntie..."
