The world is constantly changing. This is not always bad. Change is necessary to improve life. But change is also always a challenge. And challenges sometimes cause fear. Then one longs for consistency. For something that gives support. This can be many things. Friends. Family. But also things that return every year. Festivals. The summer. Or even flowers in a garden.

Every year, around May, the first buds grow on the poppies in the garden. Over several weeks they grow slowly, day by day they become more, grow larger.

And when the time is right, they slowly open, begin to bloom in bright red. But not all at once, but always first a few, and then after a few days the next. So the red splendor lasts for several days, bees and bumblebees feast on the blossoms that gently sway in the wind.

Life goes on, changes. But the blossoms of the poppies do not know this, they do not care. Every year they stand blooming in the garden, needing no help or care, an anchor of calm in a hectic world.

Then, sometime in June, the poppies have faded, done their duty.

The world will keep on turning and many things will change, but the poppies will bloom again next year as if nothing had happened.

And for that, dear poppies, you deserve the greatest thanks.