I collected the last of my dahlias from the garden yesterday. Far from perfect, most are fading after the last cold snap, a few young buds among them, little sparks of color and light still holding on.
These flowers in their final days remind me of the last dance at a party. The energy and brightness of the first dance gradually giving way to something slower, softer, more reflective. That moment when the music changes, the room begins to empty, and you find yourself wanting to linger just a little longer.
I like the poetry of that thought. We have our first dances in life, moments of celebration, beginnings and milestones. But perhaps we need the last dances just as much. Those moments when the pace slows, giving us time to reflect, find our rhythm again, and gather the energy to step back into the party. Much like dahlia tubers…
For now, I’ll enjoy this last dance with my dahlias, admiring the afternoon light finding its way through their fading petals.
