Widow's Voice

On Sunflowers

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A Medicine for Joy?

Sunflowers in the foreground of the photo

part one of a three-part meditation on joy

 

Ah Sun-flower! weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun:
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the travellers 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.

by William Blake, 1794

 

Here’s a thought experiment:

Do sunflowers bring joy?

 

In step one, we grab hold of the wily creatures within us named “feelings” and determine

a strong no,

or a strong yes,

or a neutral meh.

 

Full disclosure: I am a strong yes.

When asked about my love for sunflowers I reply, “They make me smile!”

a single sunflower on a black background

For your consideration, just a few metaphors from Sunflower fans:

A satellite dish for sunshine
A sea of golden blooms
A sunflower field is like a sky with a thousand suns.
A sunflower field is my favorite kind of field.
A sunflower is the happiest flower.
All you need is love and sunflowers.
Always stop and smell the sunflowers.
Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun.
Be the light, love, and bright spot whenever you can.
Beautiful kisses from a bright flower
Because if this beautiful sunflower can survive winter, so can I
Breathing in sunshine on a warm summer day
Brighten the world as a sunflower brightens a field.
Butterflies grow better with sunflowers.
Chasing sunflowers is my therapy.
Choose to let your light shine bright.
Embracing my inner flower child.
Enjoying dawn with sunflowers
Enjoying the moment
Every flower blooms at a different pace.
Every good day deserves a sunflower!
Fresh breeze, warm sun, and a field of golden flowers
Following the sun
Happiness is a field of sunflowers in bloom.
Happy as a sunflower
Honey bees and sunflowers, please!
I have a sunflower soul.
I love the way you cheer me up.
If I were a flower, I would be a sunflower.
If you need me, I’ll be wandering in the sunflower fields.
I’m a sunflower at heart.
I’m feeling radiant today.
I’m gonna soak up the sun until I burst.
I’m just here for the sunflowers.
In a world full of roses, be a sunflower.
I woke up feeling like sunflowers.
It’s the little things in life.
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.

courtesy of Everyday Wanderer

Tuning in . . .

 

Did a smile peek through?

Is there a story behind the smile?

Or . . . something else?

 

More to be revealed next week . . .

About Kathie Neff

Kathie Neff was widowed on April 15, 2021. She and her beloved husband, Dan, were high school sweethearts and enjoyed dancing and riding horses together. They lived in gratitude, hope and forgiveness for 50 years and nine months when Dan passed quietly late at night, surrounded by their seven children who, with Kathie, were caring for him in their family home.

Dan and Kathie have been a part of Camp Widow and Soaring Spirits International since its inception, as members of Michele Neff Hernandez’s cadre of helpers from the Neff family.

Kathie believes strongly in the strength and bond that is the gift of community and brings a heart of love for all who have been affected by death and dying.

Long live love. XO