I had never given much thought to cherry blossoms until last month, when my first-grade daughter began researching a school project on the topic. After delving into the taxonomy, she learned of the high cultural esteem in which cherry blossoms are held in Japan. "Sakura," as they are known, are metaphors for the beauty, fragility, and ephemeral nature of life. In a society that, to Western eyes, can seem mystifyingly oblique, they are a potent symbol of human mortality. I gave a lot of thought to sakura last week, after my friend Tom had a terrible accident at work. A builder of sublime skill and talent, he was transforming an old grain mill into a bright and airy living space. One moment he was up on a scaffold. The next moment he was tumbling headfirst into a stairwell. Suddenly, his world was filled with operating rooms, anesthesia and emergency surgery. It was a terrifying glimpse into the abyss between life and death/William Brock, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.

Question: When did you last get a reminder re: how fragile life is?