Today's Flowers

think pink

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One of my sons was about four years old when somebody asked him what his favorite color was. He pondered briefly, then said, "pink."

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Stifling a gasp, I did not react. Colors are gender-neutral, right? It's just a color; it doesn't mean anything. (ears getting warm) I hope he doesn't see anybody else get freaked out over nothing, and think he's done something wrong. (palms sweating) If anyone picks on him over this, I'll have to serve up a knuckle-sandwich... well, not really, but I'd at least find a civil, Christian way to protect my little boy from stupid hyenas... In that moment or two of silence, dozens of thoughts raced through my head, and then he spoke again.

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"Dark pink." He said the words slowly and thoughtfully.

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Dark. Hmmm... dark is good. Whew, what a relief! If anybody starts to make fun, I can correct them. No, no, no--not any girly pink; DARK pink! (insert manly grunt here)

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Today's flowers are pink, and I like them. Yeah? (puffing up chest) What of it!

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Here's a new-ish feature that my friend Luiz Santilli Jr. is doing. It's called Today's Flowers. Check it out.