For Tina Downey

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 43 Comments



In honor of our friend and fellow wordsmith, Tina Downey, bloggers will be gathering sunflowers and posting them today.

I was browsing the internet, looking for a perennial I could plant and enjoy year after year as a reminder of Tina's joy, zest, and wonderful attitude. 

I found a Maximillian Sunflower from Gurney's that promises to grow, bloom, and spread one season after another. And as a bonus, it's supposed to be hardy and thrive in poor soil with almost no attention. 

Just like a good friendship. 

I was excited to find something so perfect! I'd have a flower to post today and enjoy later.

What I got wasn't a plant but this:


A hideous tangle of roots.

Great, I thought. Everyone else will have pretty flowers...I have roots. 

But then I remembered a Sunday school lesson.

To teach children about resurrection, I'd buy marigold seeds.

I'd ask the kids if they looked alive...or even like a flower. 

They all agreed, the seeds were dead. 

Then we'd plant them, water them, give them sun and soon they had a shoot and later a bloom. 

In death, we don't always see the potential. That the human body is simply a seed for something better; something eternal. 

So, I will plant my roots and know...next summer they will grow and smile down on me. 

And I will think of Tina....



A college fund has been set up in Tina's honor for her children. If you could help, no matter how big, or how small, it's appreciated. Tina Downey College Fund


43 comments:

  1. A great lesson to remember Tina.
    If not for the rain I had lately mine would have done the same.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful tribute, it brought a tear to my eye. Tina would have loved this as much as had it spouted yellow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A lesson for us all to remember, when they bloom next year you will think of Tina.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like the idea of planting a perennial. I think Tina would have loved this, roots and all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's beautiful, Elizabeth. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Tina but I'm sure she'd have loved this xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Elizabeth, that is really touching. Tina would've been just as excited about those roots.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely tribute, hope your roots become lovely flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. lol well at least something took root. Great tribute

    ReplyDelete
  9. An excellent point about seeds and roots. True beauty and brilliance are usually anchored in something stronger, deeper, something we often can't see....

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

    ReplyDelete
  10. You know I tease you, but you really do rock :)

    Love your choice of words and can't wait to see how the roots/seeds turn out next summer...

    (You will, of course, let us know in 2 years :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Roots will grow and Tina is smiling... thank you for being part and sharing your story.

    Jeremy

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tina would have loved this. Your roots are perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is an amazing post. Roots do indeed grow. Thanks for that inspiration! A lovely way to remember Tina.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This was wonderfully said, and while it'll take time, we all know those roots are going to blossom into something truly beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, that's a beautiful tribute Elizabeth. Well said. Love that lesson.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'd be surprised too, if I got a ball of roots like that. But it's an inspiring thought that one day you'll have a lovely flower growing from those!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a wonderful way to preserve her memory. And I'll keep that lesson n mind for future use (if you don't mind.)

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful way to preserve her memory. And I'll keep that lesson n mind for future use (if you don't mind.)

    ReplyDelete
  19. This was so touching, Elizabeth. And a wonderful lesson. I can sure see the beauty and life in those roots, and I know Tina would, too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You wrote such a beautiful and meaningful tribute. I like the message you conveyed and the comparison between roots and friendship, etc. Thank you for this.

    ReplyDelete
  21. That is quite a message Liz. I'm certain Tina would have loved it. Maybe she does.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tina would have appreciated the thoughtfulness, and when those flowers bloom you'll have beautiful memory of her.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love this tribute. Can't wait to see the flowers bloom!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a wonderful message!
    You have an entire year ahead, and as you look forward to next summer, and think about the sunflowers that still have to bloom, Tina will remain uppermost in your memory...
    What a wonderful way of prolonging the memory...
    Life is good!

    ReplyDelete
  25. You'll have to share it with us next time! Really nice post.
    Thank you,
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  26. A beautiful and touching memorial with a great lesson.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your post is a touching tribute to wonderful, kind lady.

    ReplyDelete
  28. A beautiful and sweet tribute. Those roots will lead to beautiful blossoms, I am sure. I've seen it while gardening.

    ReplyDelete
  29. So sweet. You'll think of her every time you see those flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your sentiment inspires, as does Tina Downey. Thanks for underscoring that point, Elizabeth. Her blossoming spirit is perennial.

    ReplyDelete
  31. A wonderful tribute. Thanks for the project too.

    ReplyDelete
  32. All good things take time! I think this was beautiful, Liz. And what a surprise it will be when beauty springs next year… So lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Can't wait to see a pic of them next year!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Aww, those roots will turn out so sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  35. That's a great Sunday school lesson. I like how it ties the flowers to Tina. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is awesome - your flowers are going to be gorgeous!

    They sound like my kind of plant, since I really suck at gardening and have a terrible talent for killing off plants.

    ReplyDelete
  37. They will bloom next year just in time for Tina's anniversary! What a lovely story about you and your quest to find a flower for Tina. Can't wait to see what the sunflowers will look like...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Just wanted to say that I can't comment on your latest two posts, but I have read them! And I didn't realise I could post my shelfie post until Oct 6th. Better get on that! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Elizabeth .. I bet that tangle will sprout furiously next year - but what will it produce .. but the idea of marigolds ... great idea too .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love that the fun is set up for her kids. I think Tina is happy and optimistic as ever, but it's the ones who are left behind you have to worry about.

    ReplyDelete
  41. That is a wonderful lesson! That tangle of roots will be a lasting memory for Tina. I'll have to look those up. We don't have favorable soil here, yet sunflowers grow along the roads at the end of summer.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...