sunflower

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a sunflower?
To effortlessly, through all kinds of weather,
grow,
bend, 
sway,
reach,
bloom,
produce,
focus.

If a animal doesn't find it before it takes root, there's little mother nature can do to interrupt the sunflower from it's job. It has one purpose--to reach the sun. To have its petals be warmed by its rays. It's love affair is so strong, it follows the sun vainly all day. Sun-up, to Sun-down. And in its sorrow, hangs it's head at end of day, only to begin again it's joy of embracing the sun's glory.

Some are small.
Some become small trees.
Some can barely hold itself up from the size of its head.
Some have delicate seed & vibrant color.

With each spring my children & I randomly tuck seeds into the ground hoping for a beautiful sunflower to break the ground. They remind us of how time flies & beauty fades. And with overcast there can be sorrow. Only to reach to the warmth of a new day. 

This year the squirrels chose where the flowers would grow...and we couldn't be happier in knowing that because we sowed, the woods is now a more peaceful & graceful place.

Ever sit under a sunflower as if it were a parasol? It is a bliss that renders your heart to giddy childishness.

Ever harvested the seed, to enjoy as a bounty & share with the yard birds in preparation for winter?

Ever thank the sunflower for guiding the time of day?

Ah! Sun-Flower
Ah, Sun-flower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun,
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done:
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow
Arise from their graves, and aspire
Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.
-William Blake

And for today, I will aspire to face the sun, & allow for its rays to warm my face...to guide me methodically to rest at the end of a day. Oh beautiful sunflower does give me sweet grace...