all the flowers will turn to face the sun.
Standing in a sea of yellow, facing grand
blossoms, and with the sun warming my skin all I could think of was my mother.
_____________________
Last weekend my friends and I traveled to
Lopburi to visit the sunflower fields. The internet did not provide us with
much assistance on how to get there so we simply trusted that good faith would
guide us to our destination. After an extremely long morning, we finally arrived
in front of one of the most glorious sights I have ever seen. I stood before rows upon rows of beautiful
sunflowers. The cheerful yellow stood out against the cool blue of the sky and deeper
greens of the mountains.
The sun was behind me so I stared in awe at the
full blossoms that were searching for the sun’s warmth. I have never seen so many sunflowers in one
place. It was simply divine strolling through the rows of sunflowers and being
brushed with their pollen kisses.
I was flooded with memories of the gardens in
our childhood home. My mom loyally tended to these large gardens around our
house. She would guilt us kids into weeding the gardens with her. I remember complaining and declaring every
excuse I thought possible to avoid weeding, but I always ended up outside with
my knees in the dirt alongside my mom. I
was too young to appreciate the beauty of gardening and spending quality time
with a loved one. Now, I revel in the
moments I have with my mom where we just enjoy each other’s company and time
spent together.
At the end of every summer my mother’s
sunflowers would stand proudly and reign over the mums and zucchini.
“Stand
tall, smile bright, and make ‘em wonder what secret’s making you laugh.”
What a brilliant flower. Sunflowers are the
natural optimists of the world. They do
not close their blossom when rain comes. They do not seal off the world. They
simply wait for the storm to pass and then face the sun. They choose to find the light every day. They
know the power of light and warmth.
My mom, Janet, is a flower in my life and a
sunflower at that. She always sees the positive in any situation. She has found
the light in her life and will eternally embrace it.
She is my rock, my mentor, my friend. She showed
me how to be fearless and take control of your life. She taught me that it is never too late to
give yourself the love you hoped for and the respect you deserve. Her smile can warm any heart. Her kindness
touches your soul. She loves me unconditionally and selflessly gives her care
and protection.
It is obvious she is my Nana’s daughter. They
are both just stubborn enough to drive you crazy, but so giving that your heart
overflows with love for them. They know
what you need even before you do. They ask the right questions to make you
think larger and gain perspective. They challenge you to make you grow. They
are comical cooks that proudly laugh off any kitchen failures. They are one in
the same. Beautiful, extraordinary, strong, generous, kind and loving.
The
book ‘Is your Mama a Llama’
The
song ‘Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone’
Any
beach
“You’re
a good girl, pretty girl, and smart girl”
A
cold glass of wine
A delicious dessert
Sunflowers
….all triggers for thoughts of my mom.
She is
everywhere I go – and together we will always seek the sun.
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