In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms symbolizes both life and death, beauty and violence. As the coming of spring promises new life, so the blooming of cherry blossoms brings a sense of vitality and vibrancy. At the same time, their short lifespan is a reminder that life is fleeting. Link
When I was in my early 40’s, I had cherry blossoms added to my body in the form of a tattoo. To me, it represented a shift in my life; where I started leaping into the entrepreneurial world while also being a mother. I have stared at those flowers on my foot countless times, both in good and bad time, and drawn power from what they meant to me, as well as what they meant to others.
I had an extra day today here in Buffalo, NY after attending WordCamp Buffalo which gave me the opportunity to visit Niagara Falls, some place I’ve only seen on tv. I ordered an Uber, hopped in the back seat and met the most delightful man. I learned he had migrated from Japan 35 years ago, had lived in Queens for just over 30 years, and moved to Buffalo at the start of the pandemic, when NYC was the epicenter of the pandemic, which he said scared him. He asked me if I had an umbrella, and upon me saying no, he laughed and said “You don’t want to get your hair all wet!” I laughed and said that a little water wasn’t going to hurt me. He pointed out different areas in the park that I needed to see. He told me that everyone else would be going left, I needed to go right, because those are the paths less traveled and they are also the most beautiful of all the paths in the park. He pointed to the river, the water crashing well before the falls, telling me, “Look at how beautiful they are!” He dropped me off and wished me a wonderful day.
I was expecting the falls. That was a given. What I wasn’t expecting was the cherry blossom trees, newly in bloom. They dotted the area here and there, not heavy in population, just enough to dot the landscape with their splender and beauty.
I keep seeing them. I went on a gondola in Taipei and as we reached the top of the volcanic mountain, there sat a small garden of cherry blossoms in bloom. Now, in Buffalo, NY of all places I am reminded by the symbolic nature of those flowers in nature and in my life.
