One of the great joys of parenting comes about when you realize your children actually share your interests, delight in the same things and show a curiosity for the world that matches your own. An even greater joy can be derived from realizing that they have outgrown you and know more than you ever did or will about some things – happily sharing their insights.

Just as I followed in the footsteps of my mother who introduced me to all things botanical, my son is now familiar with a lot of what grows and flourishes out there. It has become a joke between us that every time I think I’m detecting a mimosa – one of the earliest subtropical plants I was introduced to by my mother, at a botanical garden in Tenerife, an island south of Spain – I am completely wrong. What I am seeing instead is patiently explained to me by my son, often plants in the acacia family, or others I have never heard of before.

The joke has become so entrenched that every time I see something novel I’ll exclaim:”It’s a mimosa!”, met by satisfactory sighs and eye-rolling by the progeny. Luckily neither one of us has the characteristics of a mimosa (described in its name, Mimosa pudica (pudica = Latin for ‘shy, bashful, shrinking’ – for the plant’s characteristic to shrink and roll up its foliage at the slightest touch.) Joking is sweet with this beloved young man.

For his birthday tomorrow, then, here are some samples of mimosas – yes the real thing! – and just as I am guessing about things he knows, I will let him guess about things I’m still fluent with: the names of the respective painters – (truth be told, I was also too tired last night to type them and titles all out, can be delivered on request!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, mein Schatz – may nature, luminous colors, soft textures and creative juxtapositions be harbingers for what the year brings!

And may your own little one bring you as much joy as you bring us!

Music is shared taste as well – from South America, whence the mimosa hails.