Ever had a feeling of enjoying something that you know that will be gone soon?

Eating ice cream before it melts or like racing to chase the beautiful sunrise and its wonderful colors before it breaks daylight, that kind of feeling.In Japanese concept, this is known as mono no aware.

“Influenced by Buddhism, mono aware is described as the bittersweet feeling one has when witnessing the grand play of Life. It is a combination of appreciation of Life’s beauty and sadness of how transient it is. Perhaps this is another reason why the blooming sakura trees have such a strong cultural impact in Japan – their beauty teaches us appreciation but also acceptance of the cycles of Life“

While walking through our street, which is all in pink nowadays because of the pink cherry blossoms, I have this kind of feeling.I don´t care if I am the only one taking photos under these pretty pink flowers—I want to enjoy them now.

Because I know, after a week or less, from this time, they will soon be gone.Today, I was stepping on a mass of fallen petals, the pink blossoms are gone. The leaves have turned green in a week and all is left is my allergy.I´ll have to wait another year again to see them.

Here in Germany, it´s Spring time once again , everything is growing and blooming, everything is slowly returning to green, and coming back to life.The cycle of life continues.I was telling my husband while we wait for the green light that I am grateful to see Cherry Blossoms since we don´t have these in the Philippines. In the street where we lived, we are lucky enough that we have these rows of cherry blossom trees that transforms our neighbourhood in a very pretty way.I had a friend who flew to Japan just to have a glimpse of these beauties, and here I am, enjoying them only within a few strides from home.

You see, while doing my morning runs, I am so distracted by these beauties.On a sunny day, they are glowing like cotton candies.Like a piece of a beautiful dream.In Japan there´s the Hanami season –or flower viewing where they celebrated the time of blooming of Sakura flowers, here in Bavaria, I love it and I am always happy to see these pink flowers as well.Just like the fascination of people who travelled to the Netherlands just to view the tulip fields and Keukenhof. Although we don´t do picnics under the trees but we just enjoy viewing them.

Every year, I posted something about Cherry blossoms and this is my chronicle this year. Last year I have seen them covered in snow and they looked even more beautiful.Fragile, soft and pretty. The petals soaked in rain looks even more charming.For the past days that we have a bad weather with strong wind gusts, these lovely petals are gone and fallen to the ground.

In Japan, they are called Sakura, their national flower and japanese people loved their pale pink petals so much.It is a huge celebration and festivities during spring.People celebrate cherry blossoms since ages and treasure this flower as a symbol of our fleeting life where everything changes eventually.

For me personally, I found these trees very special.I don´t get tired looking at them.They don´t bear fruits but they have a special purpose.I hope that these trees in my neighbourhood continues to grow and more people plant these trees.I´ve read that they have a mild scent like vanilla but they also contain coumarin which is hepatotoxic.Their seeds and tree bark have amygdalin which should not be eaten.

Look how beautiful they are! Seeing them signals the new beginning of a season.A new beginning , warmer days to come and more happy days under the sun.Looking back how dreary the surroundings during winter, the sight of a blooming sakura tree is so refreshing. A tree of hope, a new beginning and a gift of second chances.

Last week I visited a Japanese Garden in Augsburg , an hour drive from Ingolstadt and in that garden, I saw the white cherry blossoms.They all looked so pretty. We had a wonderful weather and the garden looked so peaceful and radiates a positive energy. With Kois in the pond, then this garden would be perfect. But even without the fishes, the calm slushing of water makes this place so idyllic.

When I looked closely at these flowers, I am reminded that my life is fleeting and that I need to serve my purpose.I would continue to enjoy them, probably try grafting and plant one in the garden.I know that they are almost gone now but I am sure I´ll see them again next year.

What is the thing that you ´ve enjoyed lately?

I hope everyone have a great Sunday.Until then, Tschüß Sakura, see you again next year!

Tschüß!