As my friend Susan said, “spring is the time of rebirth.” So this story is about one of my most jolly and precious experiences to which I will be looking forward once a year.

Right at the beginning of Christopher Street, a narrow alley in a Manhattan historic district, on the south east corner grows a wisteria tree. Over the years the vine has overgrown with branches that spiral over leaning trees, covering almost the entire street with an arch.

Early every spring, with a nostalgic feeling of waiting to meet with a lover I see but once a year, I await the blooming of the wisteria. The spider-like wisteria flowers decorate the whole tree… like a spring Christmas tree! With my warmest enthusiasm, every year I visit the tree at least five to seven times in a day, just a minute’s walk from my apartment. (By the way, someone has commented that my scenic street is like a post card from the good old days…) At the gym the evening before I left for Asia, Dave, a musician, casually commented about this amazing tree with his usual big smile.

Oh, my dearest wisteria … I am writing to express my loving gratitude to you with your fragrant purple and green dresses that bring me a such a motherly healing power!