Honeysuckle
Written by Wanda Rodriguez
Written on May 12, 2025
Published on May 14, 2025
One of my favorite things about spring is the honeysuckle! It hits all five senses for me, right in the “sweet spot"!! I love the fragrant smell (1)! I love the beautiful vision created by the vines as they intertwine with delicate yellow and white tubular flowers (2). I love the taste of the sweet nectar it shares (3). I love the feel of the flowers as I carefully work my fingers to release the small drop of heaven it has to offer (4). I love the sounds I inevitably make when I am able to pull the stigma out of the bottom of the flower, (Gently! Just so! Careful!) to reveal the dainty bubble of deliciousness! (5) And, I absolutely love stopping to pick them and enjoy a quick tongue tickle every chance I get! It never gets old and it always floods my mind with happy memories of my childhood!
Don’t you love how certain sights, sounds or smells can instantly transport you back in time (in your mind)? I can think of several such things. Popcorn always makes me think of the movies (and vice versa). Hot dogs make me think of endless summers spent at the pool where, as a child, our parents often parked us for the day (much to our delight!!). In some ways the pool was our babysitter, along with Looney Tunes and the ice cream man but, I digress. Speaking of the ice cream man, that brings to mind long, hot, summer days. McDonald’s reminds me of Friday nights as a child because that’s when my dad got paid and we would get our grub on (of course the thought of McDees makes me feel a bit nauseous these days but, the happy memory remains). Seeing a sewing pattern or anything sewing related reminds me of my talented and creative mom. Going back to the ice cream man one more time, just hearing that music off in the distance still, to this very day, makes my heart jump and my mouth involuntarily yell, “Ice cream man!!!” Automatically, I start running around looking for change (Bahaha!! Who am I kidding!?!?! Change doesn’t cut it anymore! Find the debit card or some cold, hard cash!), and alerting the other natives in the house! The funny thing is, that tradition has carried on with my kids and my grandkids! It is quite the court of chaos when the ice cream man is anywhere within earshot of our street! It is safe to say that we temporarily lose our minds!
As we get older, and life, with all of its commitments and responsibilities, becomes more complicated, it is nice to be swept back into joyful memories of simpler times. Times that seemed to be endless back in the day. I mean there were days, though I loved the summer season immensely, it felt like summer was just dragging. Now summer seems to end almost before it begins. As a kid I remember taking maybe one trip or a few weekend getaways over the summer, but other than that, there was a big, fat, bunch of nothing planned beyond whatever happened to come down the pike. Nowadays summer tends to be slammed full of all the things you want to squeeze in before the race begins again in the fall. It always takes me a week or so to adjust to the summer routine. I am one of those weird breeds that do better when my schedule is tighter. Too much free time for me is not really a good thing. “Slacker-Susie” tries to take the wheel and typically finds minimal opposition from me.
I am writing as a reminder to stop and enjoy the “honeysuckles” of life, whatever that might mean to you. Your honeysuckles might be represented by something completely different that mine, and that’s all good. Just remember to slow down, to stop, to enjoy those moments and memories, and to share those experiences with those around you. One day you may be gone, and your “honeysuckle” moments might bring great joy and comfort through shared memories of those who remain. For that matter, share it with yourself! I was on a walk just this morning and stopped to enjoy the splendor of honeysuckles growing along the path. It made my heart swell with joy, though I did not have much success getting the nectar out. All the more reason to keep trying. Enjoy the sweet nectar that life has to offer and don’t be afraid to share that joyful nectar with others.
Thank you for joining me on life’s journey. -Wanda
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Comments
Honeysuckle was a big thing when I was growing up also! Thanks for bringing me back to my childhood also!
This post really spoke to me today. I love the idea of sharing those "honeysuckle" moments with others. I try to do so with my kids often!
I had honeysuckle growing along the fence in my yard and I'd go to it daily and pluck off the flowers and pull out the taster... mmmm mmmm. Good memories!
Another good one, keep them coming. I am going to send you a photo. Still not a robot.
What a sweet post