Perspective

I've never been a huge lover of gifts of flowers. It's probably because I consider flowers to be a bit extravagant. Don't misunderstand me. I love it when someone gives me flowers. It's just that my brain processes things a bit differently. I tend to think......"Hmm.....instead of those flowers, we could have done..........x, y, or z."
Yesterday however, my daughter came running full tilt across our yard with a fistful of flowers from our neighbor's yard. These weren't just any flowers. They were a massive amount of dandelions. Now, most of us look at these flowers as pesty nuisances in our yards. We do our best to inhibit their growth. But yesterday, I wouldn't have traded them for anything in the world. They were stunning, as my daughter gave them to me with a giant smile on her face. "Look Mommy! I picked all of these for you!"
When I saw those flowers, I didn't once consider what we could have done without them. I happily placed them in water and proudly displayed them on my counter.
Sometimes, it's a matter of perspective. Why do I consider purchased flowers an extravagance, when my daughter clearly spent quite a bit of time picking these flowers with her own hands? That's more extravagant that the most expensive roses. I think from now on, I'll quiet my little brain when someone gives me flowers, and just enjoy the moment. I'm missing too much joy........are you?