Standing Out in a Crowd

One mighty sunflower in amongst the Black Eyed Susans. I have several sunflowers in my yard, that I didn't plant. When they got pretty big....I just let them go. This one was a surprise Standing out from all the other yellows. Reminds me of a quote....

Don't ever be afraid of to standing out. Fear fitting in because you can get lost in the crowd, but standing alone you'll always find yourself.

I heard those... almost same words from my parents all through school. I remember saying that I wanted to do something that my friends were doing. My mom would say, "If they all jumped off the bridge...will you follow?" It used to make me angry when she said this.....but then years later I found myself saying much the same thing. I tried my best to teach my kids about not always following the crowd. They turned out to be individuals. All three....very different, but at the same time similar. I love conversations with them.....hearing their viewpoints on things.

Today would have been my oldest son, Tim's 57th birthday. We miss him terribly and for me, his Mom, that will go on for the rest of my life. I think of him every day. When I'm  in my garden full of little critters, when I hear about a gifted program at school, dogs with nail polish, beautiful waters to fish in, German chocolate cake... like he made for my birthday, a turkey that needed carving and no sharp knives, Korean food, medicine brought to me during the night, bee stings, teasing, an old Mustang,and the bird book.
He left us with so many good... fun memories :) 

Balisha