THE TINY SNOWDROP
I love the little snowdrop: so tiny, so fragile, so white.
To me it always signals hope: the beginning of spring, the anticipation that the dark, cold winter is coming to an end, that lighter and warmer days lie ahead. I love the day I look out the window and spot the first beautiful snowdrop in the garden, symbolising new beginnings and rebirth. The snowdrop apparently has the ability to melt the snow around it as it produces its own heat. How simply beautiful.
Although the snowdrop appears so fragile, it is in fact incredibly strong. Amazingly, its leaves have specially hardened tips, acting almost like tiny spades, which help the little flower break through frozen soil. The sap of the snowdrop also contains a form of antifreeze which prevents ice crystals forming. How awesome is that? No matter how small or insignificant we feel, the snowdrop reminds us that there is hope for the future, and like this fragile flower, we can draw on our inner strength to push through hard, frozen soil to reach up for the sunlight.
As well as hope, the snowdrop symbolises sympathy and innocence. We could all benefit from the beautiful lessons of the snowdrop: to care for those we love, reach out a helping hand; and at times, sometimes more difficult, allow ourselves to be cared for by others. And innocence: when did we lose the innocence of childhood? The ability to be moved and surprised by the small things, to be amazed by new discoveries, to be happy in the moment.
So next time you see a tiny snowdrop, pause to breathe in its beauty… and let yourself be filled with a renewed feeling of hope and strength, let yourself regain that childlike sense of wonder you once had.
You may feel weak and unimportant, but you are stronger than you think. You’ve survived the dark winter… now enjoy the bright spring.
