Saturday, March 26, 2011

A Blossoming Friendship























The cherry trees are blossoming around here, aren't they beautiful? The bees think so, they love them! The ones at the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. began blooming on Thursday. Their two week National Cherry Blossom Festival draws 1 million visitors a year. Even though I was born and raised in D.C., I have never been to one of the festivals. Japan gave us those trees in 1912, and about 100 of the original 3,000 are still growing. Beside being a yearly symbol of spring, they also symbolize the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. And now they are blooming for the 99th time, as Japan is reeling from the deaths of at least 18,000 people. A fundraising walk and vigil will be held among the trees. So now not only will the trees be a symbol of the rebirth of spring, but also of Japan. That's what friends are for.

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom...they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God." Isaiah 35

28 comments:

Karin said...

Praising our Creator for such incredible beauty! Love, love, love blossoming trees and bushes! Wonderful of the connection to Japan - I had known that - but didn't know that so many of the original ones are still there and blooming. Indeed a blossoming friendship! God bless Japan!

Arti said...

Never seen these trees... So bright, so beautiful so fresh... No doubt the bees love them, I love them too!!
Great pics especially the header is amazing.
Have a wonderful day:-)

Reanaclaire said...

That shows spring is here!! Beautiful flowers blooming everywhere..

SquirrelQueen said...

They are so beautiful and are a lovely symbol of our friendship with Japan.

I did get to see the trees in bloom one time years ago when I still lived on the East Coast, they are incredible.

It is good to see the bees and the blooms, sping has arrived.

Anonymous said...

Such amazing beauty.

Regina said...

You have such a beautiful way with words..this is a sad time for so many over their (one of grieving and survival), yet what a meaningful tribute- not to mention the friendship! Thanks for a really informative post! The bee is too lovely..the color you could never get tired of! I enjoyed this~
(I'm on my phone because I had to scan my computer..I'll be back for your previous post as my phone is dragging now too:)

Ann said...

Those are not only beautiful trees but a beautiful symbol of friendship

Ruth Hiebert said...

WOW!!! These are spectacular.Ihve seen images of blossoming Cherry trees before but never noticed the beauty like today.The symbolism of friendship is also beautiful.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

these are soo soo pretty....God paints the best pictures. Hope your day is great.

MadSnapper said...

"pretty in pink" for sure. awesome trees and I did not know about japan giving us the trees in DC. hope the ones in DC are as pretty as yours. a happy story for a Sunday morning. I do so love your many faceted bloggin. and you to of course sister mine

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, Outstanding pictures of the lovely blossoms. I adore Cherry Trees! Have a great day today!

DawnTreader said...

Oh those trees are lovely... Will still be several weeks before we reach that stage of spring here! Even that bee in your header looks pink! - but I guess that's just an illusion, or...?

Anonymous said...

I knew about the Japan connection but to think that those trees are still blooming...!! These blossoms are incredibly beautiful! And the symbolism, the gesture...the connection gets deeper.

Chatty Crone said...

Ginny - I didn't realize the connection at all - they are so incredible. Thanks for sharing the information and teaching me something new today!

sandie

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I grew up just outside D.C. and have never been to one of the festivals either. They sure are pretty.

S. Etole said...

Absolutely bursting with beauty.

Remington said...

Beautiful! I wish I could see them! Do they smell good?

Tracy said...

Oh Ginny,
I thank you for that bit of lovliness! I seriously needed to see the beauty and view the world larger than my own right now. I also thank you for the kind words and reminders you placed on my blog. It's has been a rough week, but my prayers are now for strength and forgiveness of self as I move forward.
I appreciate the thoughts Ginny.
Have a great week!

LC said...

Ginny, these blossoms are say spring! Happy spring!

Dawning Inspiration said...

Those are gorgeous trees!
Praying for the people of Japan...

Fred Alton said...

Ginny, there is no part of nature more beautiful than the cherry blossoms through the Shenandoa Valley! I'll never forget the awe-inspiring trip I took on the bus through that area when I was a youngster in the USCG for Uncle Sam. If I remember correctly it was a trip to the Pentagon and in the first week of April. Never forgot that beauty!

Joanne said...

It's a bitter sweet sight. I have only seen pictures of these trees but never up close like you have shown here. thank you for the peek! Blessings, Joanne

srp said...

They are soooooo pink... I don't think I have seen any right around here.. at least not that full and beautiful.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue ι™ˆζ΄ι›ͺ said...

our sakura/cherry trees were also given by Japan.

I remember back in the 70s, there were still people who didn't like the japanese for their role in WW2. Some advocated that we reject the,.

MaryMoh said...

Oh wow...I really LOVE these pictures........amazingly beautiful!! Reminds me of the time when I was in Korea many years ago. We went to the naval base where the whole area was covered with blooming cherry trees. I wish I could stay there! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Doris Sturm said...

I love your photos of the cherry tree blossoms...we don't have them there, but I'm in love with them. They are just beautiful. I think God outdid himself with those!

Glenda said...

The close-up shots are gorgeous! We went to Washington at the very end of cherry blossom time, but I'd love to see them in full bloom. Great pics!!

Deborah said...

They are beautiful! We are suppose to get a snow storm on Friday :(
I hope not!
xxoo
Deborah

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