I took this Instagram shot today. My purple columbine always blooms around this time of year, and I can’t help but play with pictures of it. One of my favorite flowers!
Until I started searching through hash tags on Instagram for others’ shots of this pretty flower, I didn’t realize that today is the 13th anniversary of the Columbine massacre.
With such a heinous week behind us and the reminder that this week was already indelibly stained with outrageous violence and the blood of innocents, I was heartened to see this spunky bit of botany, the state flower of Colorado, blossoming in defiance of these evil acts.
Columbine
A fiercely cheerful flower
Who grows in soil and rock and clay
And lifts her head with graceful power
Fan-shaped leaves brush fear away
pimplyserfect 
Beautiful photo. I love all the shades of purple that is captured!
Thank you!