Changing Ugly to Beautiful

The last few days I've been noticing the jungle-like quality of the springtime greens of New York. This is that brief period in time in our climate where everything is optimally warmed by a springtime sun, watered by springtime rains, cooled by springtime evenings, and just growing like mad.

I also noticed that a house that has been undergoing renovation in the neighborhood has finally finished and the construction equipment, lumber, siding, and other materials have been removed from their property. The lot next door, with no house in place, has been growing in the springtime abundance and is an overgrown weed field. As I've passed this section of the neighborhood every day, I've watched the progress of the house and the weeds next door with equal parts pleasure and pain. What an ugly thing to happen next door to this beautiful house. The picture of neglect and renovation side by side.

Last night, as I drove past and took my usual glance, I wished yet again that I had a camera implanted in my brain to capture the moment. The sunset colors were cast across the properties. Near the home a man was standing and looking into the field with an expression of love and indulgence, and in the field was a beautiful little girl with jet-black hair, a bright pink dress glowing in the sunset. She was slowing spinning in circles with a handful of wildflowers and a chain of dandelions in her hair. That ugly empty lot of weeds was immediately transformed into a magical meadow suited for sprites and fairies to celebrate the wonder of nature.

Ugly to beautiful in one brief moment.