A Seasonal Metaphor: the Jacarandas in Bloom : Spring: The brilliant but brief burst of purple trees brings us both hope and regret.

For those who say that Los Angeles offers no seasonal changes, I offer the jacarandas now blooming as proof that at least there is one very noticeable change that marks the passage of the year in this city. For several short weeks, these ordinarily green trees are transformed into objects of great beauty and delicacy.

The bursting of the jacarandas’ masses of purple buds always fills me with delight, exhilaration and hope. Sadly, the fleeting blossoming of the trees also brings me a certain sense of melancholy and brooding introspection. Even as I enjoy the purple blossoms on my block, they have already begun to disappear from trees on neighboring blocks, leaving lawns covered with windblown buds as the only memory of their yearly passage.

The life cycle of the jacaranda seems to bear a reminder of the nature of all life. The annual blossoming of these special trees makes me think of one of the most moving and meaningful Hebrew prayers: “Blessed art thou . . . King of the universe, who has granted us life and sustenance and permitted us to reach this season.”

This year, after fires, floods and earthquakes, we have finally reached the season of long spring days, the renewal of our streets and gardens. Life goes on, beauty continues, and every day that we witness the good and the beautiful is a privilege and blessing. The memories of that beauty and goodness are meant to sustain us through the difficult times of rain, barren branches and sadness.

No living thing lasts forever. Perhaps the purpose of memory is to enable us to store up beauty, hope and sunshine for the times when we must call upon them to sustain us.

I am always disappointed that not all the jacarandas flower simultaneously. There is never any one day when all of them are in full bloom. Perhaps none of our wishes can be so easily gratified. Perhaps there is no time when absolute beauty is the only thing visible on life’s horizon.

For now, I am satisfied. I have seen the jacarandas come to life again, renewing my spirit and filling me with hope. May we all find blessing and satisfaction in our own glimpses of the world, our own blossoms, our own jacarandas.