Every place has a special time of year when Nature unveils Her finest.  Cherry Blossoms in Japan or Washington, D.C. might be some of the first images that come to mind.  I think of early spring in Sacramento, California when profuse displays of camellias and gaudy color-clashing azaleas grace the community.
Upcountry Maui offers a spectacular experience in May and June as hundreds of jacaranda trees come into full purple bloom.  The trunks of the wide-branching trees are deepened in color due to frequent showers and the flowers’ purple is enhanced in the diffused light of clouds.
A few days ago, after a walk in the woods with a friend, we decided to drive to her home via a route that would give us some of the best postcard views of the jacarandas in full glory:  the Upper Kula highway.  “Aren’t the jacarandas gorgeous this year?” we remarked to each other. “Yes, just gorgeous!” we agreed, almost breathless.

I dropped off my friend and continued home, passing more of the blooming beauties, thinking I might want to photograph them and send images to mainland family and friends.

Next day, I was pretty tired after working out, but as I was driving back home, I felt this overwhelming urge: Go up to the jacarandas–RIGHT NOW!   It was lightly raining, but I did have a camera with me. . . hesitating for a moment, I heeded the urgent ‘message’.

Curious as to what I would find, I slowly drove the up the winding Highway, enjoying the vast views of open ranch land and rolling green hills covered with mist that hid Haleakalaā’s peak. Loosened by the rain, thousands of flowers carpeted the ground underneath the many trees I passed.

Finally, I came around the bend where I had planned to take photos, and pulled to the side of the country road.  There, under the splendor of a jacaranda tree, was a beautiful young couple.  As in a fairy tale, she was in her bridal gown, posing for her groom.

Was this not a miracle?