Gratitude Day 17: THISTLES: just do it.

A thistle I picked the first year Caleb and I were dating

 Have you ever wanted to do something, but then you put it off, and then when you wanted to do it later, it was too late?

Oops. I should have rephrased that. Ahem. You know those times when you want to do something, but then you put it off, and when you go to do it later, it's too late?

Maybe it's buying tickets, or needing to tell a friend something, or giving a gift. For me, one of those things that happens every year is picking thistles.

Caleb, picking me a thistle year two of dating

Thistles are my favorite flower. They are like little tufts where I would like to sleep. And they are prickly on the stems and leaves, so be careful. And they only grow in ditches or along the highway, or in unwanted places. I actually potted some from my parents' yard this year - to GUARANTEE that I would have some. 

It's interesting - something about their wildness makes me want them more. Trying to contain them in pots somehow felt a little wrong. 

On Tuesday, I went for a walk during my afternoon break with my friend Anne. She's getting ready to leave us at work and bike from Vancouver to L.A. Yeah. She's that cool. We saw some thistles and I thought, "I will come back and pick these." Guess what? They were gone today.

Thistles Caleb picked for me last year. See the theme of who puts it off?

BUT. I have good news. Last night, I was driving home from a farewell party for Anne. And I decided to pull my car over and DO SOMETHING. I picked thistles and it gave me so much joy. I could have stayed there all night, up to my knees in itchy grass, picking wild beauty and letting it prick my fingers, burying my nose in the fluffy firework blooms. Pure joy.

One of my thistles this year.