Yes, this is the Monday in Holy Week and tonight begins Passover. There will be time this week to ponder deep suffering, death, deliverance--darkness before the dawn.
Today I'm going to digress from these long-held spiritual traditions and share the beauty of the annual blossoming of tulips on Boulder's downtown Mall. They don't all open at the same time, but this weekend many of them were waving in full glory, though by the end of yesterday, the winds would have claimed pedals that were loosing their holds on the stems.
Several photographers with long lenses were out, some with tripods, as I wandered through choosing colors I most love and masses of blooms opening to the sun and clicking my point and shoot to capture the beauty. I noticed a scowl from one such photographer. I may have been in his way as I leaned over the tulips to get the shot I wanted.
Mothers, aunts and grandmothers photographed children in front of the blossoms while others watched the man perched on his high ladder perform tricks for the audience that gathered as he balanced and joggled. In the high sixties, sun brightly shining, it was a lovely Saturday on Pearl Street. Outdoor dining was popular too. I suppose some wandered into the stores, but the out of doors was the big attraction.
The beggars, some sitting on blankets near the Courthouse, a couple playing musical instruments with buckets nearby for donations, those who wanted petitions signed--they were there too. I don't photograph those begging though there was an older man torquing his body into Yoga positions mine would never make who tempted me.
Yesterday's paper featured an article about CU law students and legal aid attorneys taking on the cause of those homeless who sleep on public property (or private without permission) being ticketed for breaking Boulder's law against this. It seems that covered only by ones clothes, sleeping on public grounds is okay. Were this law repealed, there is no doubt that sleeping blankets, perhaps small tents would mushroom on the Courthouse lawn that borders a block of Pearl Street Mall. City Council members quoted said that were that allowed, it would deter Boulder's many visitors and hurt the local economy. Who wants to stroll down a delightful public mall, maybe venturing into stores and restaurants to purchase overpriced merchandise or to eat tasty food and be reminded that many are not so fortunate? It might cause a rush of gratitude.
I walked back to my parked car through trees covered with blossoms, snapping photographs and smiling all the way. Spring is busting out all over Boulder, weeks earlier than usual. It is lovely, and I am grateful.
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