FLOWER POWER

This Week's Letter 4-13-25

“This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air. Dispels with glorious splendor, the darkness everywhere. True man, yet very God. From sin and death, He saves us, and lightens every load.” (Lo How a Rose E’re Blooming)

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week which for those who observe it includes both Good Friday and Easter. Whether it’s the roses in our backyard, which exploded into bloom this week or the lilies that will surround countless altars next Sunday, I’ve been thinking about the power of flowers.

In fact, it was the beauty of our state’s wildflowers that inspired our recent trip to Fredericksburg. I can’t speak for my traveling companions but my primary goal was to forget about all of the anxiety and uncertainty that’s been filling our news lately, and here was my plan…

Listen to music. Have a cold beer on the patio at Hondos. Go to the Auslander for German food. And to simply enjoy the beauty of our state’s wildflowers along with two of the hippies who love them.

But have you ever noticed how some of your favorite travel memories often include things you weren’t even planning on or thinking about?

For those of you who have never been to Fredericksburg, Texas, one of the most unexpected things you’ll see, right on main street, is one of the best WW II museums in the country.

It’s devoted to the Pacific War, and though a small town in Texas may seem like an unlikely place, it turns out that Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who led the U.S. forces to victory over Japan was born there & during the past few years the town has spent over 16 million dollars expanding the property, the buildings and the exhibits.

Here’s a few of the insights that led me to feeling less helpless and more hopeful about what ordinary people like us can achieve, and not only for ourselves, but also for our kids and grandkids.

• Before our involvement in WW II a large portion of the American public and politicians supported a policy of isolationism, often summarized by the slogan “America First.”

• The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was a wake-up call that isolation doesn't always mean safety. It also taught us a great deal about the value of alliances and standing together for the good of all.

• Seeing how millions of people, both soldiers and civilians alike, gave their lives or endured tremendous suffering in an effort to resist tyranny, reminded me again that our right to vote, speak freely, worship, protest and pursue our dreams came at a high price and are still worth fighting for today.

Having been reminded of all that, I also saw all the Bluebonnets & Indian Paintbrush I needed to remember how important it is to pay attention and also take time for the beauty right in front of us!

For me that included the opportunity to just hang out and “Chill” in the backyard of the home we rented, especially in the outdoor space they call their “Party Barn”.

In fact, on our last night my favorite “hippy adjacent” or “hippy-like” companions allowed me to have it all to myself. So, this is what I did. I put on a basketball game, sat in the hot tub, and then…

I listened and sang along to the song I’ve been humming ever since. (Get Together) Seriously, you should give it a listen, it will definitely take you back, and the message is as timely now as it was then.

For all you youngsters, it was released in 1967, which is sometimes called the “Summer of Love”, and is also the same year that a young man named George Harris started placing flowers in the rifle barrels of military policemen.

“Come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.”

At least where I am, it’s definitely looking & feeling like Spring. I hope where you are the coming week includes opportunities to enjoy it!

Johnny B ++