I noticed something about myself the last couple of weeks that is new.

Tulips make me smile.

Like, in a beaming, goofy kinda way.

Ear to ear. Even when no one is looking.

Not only because of the Dutch blood in my veins.

But because I am a human who is learning to SLOW DOWN.

Kinda.

Not flowers in a vase. But ones growing from the ground.

IN MY YARD.

I’m a large fella. With a bald head. Piercing eyes, I’m told.

Though I can wear my heart on my sleeve, verbally, my face has a tendency to be a bit stoic at times.

Sometimes people wonder if I am mad.

I’m not.

I just don’t smile tons.

Sometimes.

My brain is constantly whirling around. In an invigorating kind of way.

Usually.

There are definitely things that make me smile. When the grass is cut, when my kids feel courageous and treat each other with a reasonable amount of respect.

When my wife loves her job, picks up her side of the bed, and puts the cap on the milk the right way.

But, lately, there has been something about those tulips that bring me deep joy. Enough that my face even shows it.

May our joy be deep seeded. May it be new and life-giving. May it surprise us as we walk through our front yards.

May we beam from ear to ear. And maybe even giggle.

When no one is looking, of course.

KE