Stand Tall Like A Sunflower!

For the past four years my family and I have made it our August tradition to visit a sunflower field. The first year we walked the dry, dusty ground lined with rows and rows of mini suns shining brightly towards the sky, I was pregnant with Ruby.

The summer of her pregnancy is very memorable for me because I knew so much was about to happen that fall. I knew change was coming for my whole family. After having our first child, Kenton my husband and I waited nearly six years before we decided to grow our family. Initially we waited as we enjoyed watching him grow. Eventually the waiting changed as our focus for the future shifted. During this transitional period we grew in other ways. We were raising our son and growing professionally. It’s interesting looking back now, but in many ways my spouse and I were coasting. We were fine with the ride and content in being complacent. And then 2020 arrived and our world, like yours, most likely turned on it’s head. We faced questions and worries we never thought we would. We considered ideas we never thought we would. And had conversations we never thought we would. Thankfully, through it all, we pushed forward hand in hand as one family. We became more humble and growth took place. Those hardships faced prepared us and united as a stronger unit.

Four years ago Ruby was growing from within. I have to repeat this truth to myself because it feels like only yesterday my hand was laying on my stomach feeling her kick. Four year ago, like a sunflower seed, she was preparing for her debut. Kenton, during this time was fascinated with any bug he could find. I remember him wanting to observe every bee and spider he found along the rows of sunflowers. Back then I was solely focused on him. I worried I wouldn’t be as attentive to him once his sibling arrived. And yet, something told me it was going to be okay.

For me, sunflowers represent hope. No sunflower seed is promised to grow. No sunflower is guaranteed success and yet it does what it was meant to do, grow. Regardless of the conditions the plant faces it responds accordingly. And when conditions are favorable it grows tall, strong, and beautiful. In the past, the conditions of my “soil” were not always healthy. I had challenging times that caused my “garden” to become unhealthy. But this did not stop me from working to make positive changes. I was honest with myself and others and chose a different path. With patience and hard work the garden I chose to protect grew abundantly. That growth was not easy, but once the conditions were favorable life was permitted to flourish.

Today I walked the sunflower field with my husband, son, and daughter. The bees buzzed and the sun blazed in the blue sky. The breeze gently blew and I was yet again filled with hope. We found toads hoping in the grass, goats eating in their pens, and a bunny rabbit resting in it’s home. Life is never perfect, but life always finds a way, even if conditions are not ideal. Change will happen even if it’s different from what you initially intended.

I want to remind you that it’s okay if you aren’t in a hopeful state of mind. It’s okay to feel what ever you are feeling right now. But know you can make changes to your garden and the hardships you are facing now will not always be. Just like the sunflower, to grow you have to push through dirt. The view above, when facing the sun in full bloom, doesn’t happen over night. You need all the parts of your growth to eventually stand tall, strong, and beautiful.

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It’s what the sunflowers do.” Helen Keller

Looking for a sunflower field in Central Ohio? Below are my two favorite sunflower locations, but for different reasons.

Circle S Farms– located at 9015 London Groveport Road
Grove City, OH 43123. If you are looking for a calm sunflower experience where the visit is all about the flowers, this is the place for you! The fields provide beautiful picture moments for all of your sunflower photos. I recommend visiting in the evening for a gorgeous warm glow. Visit their website for up-to-date information.
Lynd Fruit Farm– located at 9199 Morse Road, Pataskala, Ohio. U-pick Sunflowers is not only a great place for sunflower photos, but it offers a wide variety of photo prop opportunities throughout the field. This location also offers additional activities for your little ones. For up-to-date information visit their website.