On the bucket list: A Sakura Stroll

Picnicking under the cherry blossoms in Japan, (Sakura, in Japanese), have become a part of my bucket list.
And
I'm thrilled to announce that within the same day of putting that on my list, I achieved that goal.
Sometimes you don't know what you want until you've got it.

It was Monday, April 1st - no joke - and Piper and I went to Yamato, the neighboring town, to look at the blooming cherry blossoms against the backdrop of a suburban Japanese neighborhood and a small river.  The sky was a hazy blue and the temperature was delightfully residing within the cool temperatures of the 60's.

The circumstances were perfect for Piper and I to become absorbed within a Japanese tradition - that tradition of enjoying a seat under the blooms of a cherry blossom tree while snacking on some food and watching the delicate pinkish petals saunter to the ground.  Upon looking at the new resting place of said petals, it appeared as though I was surrounded by pale confetti or a gentle snow.

This is the first year I've seen Japanese cherry blossoms (we've lived here for 9 months!) and I had no idea from which tree they bloomed.  I have since discovered that they bloom from the most jagged and warped-looking wise trees.  The trunks are a dark hue and the bark is rough, bubbled, and jaggedy against the quadruple threat of the seasons.

These trees remind me to expect the unexpected.

They also remind me that the simplicity of nature is worth treasuring.
It was nothing short of magical. The peace, the awareness of nature and the changing of the seasons.  The large Japanese koi fish (carp) were looking for food below amidst the falling petals that rested upon the water's surface - it was gently inspiring.

Meanwhile, my daughter saw this as an opportunity to socialize.  She waved at every person she saw - she walked, smelled flowers, and said Konnichiwa to all the locals.  It's a perfect union really - Japanese people seem to adore her outgoing personality, blond hair and different-looking western appearance, and Piper loves that Japanese people seem to appear as if they're always smiling and they inevitably engage her in a conversation that makes no sense.

Since seeing the blossoms, it has rained a couple days.  I wonder if the blossoms are still there with the heavy water drops and the ushering in of Spring and new leaves.  Whether they remain or have already come into the expiration of their 10-day blooming period, I will treasure the stroll I had under their beauty with my daughter and look forward to it next year.