Sunflowers

Today we began preparing the garden for fall and winter. Jon cut off a few of the sunflower flowers and Theo wanted to know why.

"Why are you cutting them?"

Because there is a season for everything and we are preparing for winter. The sunflowers are dying.

"Are you going to cut down the last one?"

No, that one isn't ready yet. Wben it is ready, then we will cut it.

"But, why?"


This conversation brought pricks of tears to my eyes. My throat choked as I reminded him that everything dies and it was the sunflower's time. I then began thinking about if it was my dad's time. Did he die in the fall or winter of his life? He was sixty-four. Is sixty-four September, October, or November of a person's life?

I suppose none of it really matters but I want to know how much he---and I---were cheated. I want to measure my pain.

I always, always, miss him.