light – Flannel with Faith

We toured the backroads of our lives. Mom was driving, Dad singing, and other family members and I enjoyed the views. Memories have become less melancholic. Rather than sadness, serenity swept over me. Recollections of my childhood, family functions, and the best, my own sons and times in this area, brought me car-abiding comfort. Focusing on the setting light, I thanked God for supplying me strength and stamina.

Just like the sunflowers on Sunday evening, my mature muscles keep me facing the direction of a new morning; new mercies and light. All the years I kinked my neck and twisted my back seeking the better bright will pay off. A harvest is happening. The light is right.

In the morning, all the sunflowers will face east, the direction of the rising sun. As the sun moves, so will the sunflower heads to follow it. But as summer turns to autumn and the sunflowers get big and ripe and heavy with seeds, they will stop moving. Until they are harvested, they will face only east. (Nargi, 2021)

Only young flowers “move” to face it throughout the day. Once they reach maturity, they stop sun-tracking—their blooms forever turned eastward. Attempting to understand the function of heliotropism in young sunflowers while mature ones stay static remains a fascination for many scientists. Recent studies suggest that sunflowers share a common mechanism with human beings, circadian rhythms organized around a 24-hour day. Scientists hypothesize these circadian rhythms—behavioral changes associated with an internal clock—explain sun tracking in young blossoms. (Do Sunflowers Always Face the Sun?, 2020)

Unlike these flowers, my rhythm is off. No explanation is needed as to why. Unlike these flowers, I will keep my neck stretching for the SON light at all times. Maturity maintains my muscles; I can rest before harvest. Are you growing and bending to the right light? Are you in the mature harvesting phase? Will you accept the love and light that keeps your head high? You are loved.

Have faith💚

Have you heard of NET, yet?🦓

Thank you for remembering me in your thoughts and prayers. It’s so humbling. I will continuously share my gratitude like a broken record! Last Friday’s blood draw revealed I need to continue growing platelet levels. If approved, I’ll receive more shots beginning soon. In two weeks, I will meet the surgeon via Telehealth. My friends and support group meet each Wednesday. They have become such a mighty force in my friendship circle. My learning and support have been boosted (just as we hope blood continues to do)! I have several friends, either newly diagnosed with cancer or are battling other life-threatening situations or circumstances. I found out last week about a very young patient who was recently diagnosed with this cancer; another friend has breast cancer. My daily prayers are with them and all of you; no matter the situation. Each day, no matter what, I keep things in perspective. It may not lessen the pain or challenges, but I stay grounded. I’ll give out grace like chocolate chip cookies! Due to advancements in imaging and technology, more are being diagnosed. Also, due to those things, many are living longer lives. I pray you are all living your best lives. I’ll keep focusing on all the good. Faith is working.