Welcome to Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD). Please use either new or your archived photos for this challenge. Feel free to post every day or when you you feel like it.
This morning I was taken with the gorgeous early morning sunlight coming in our office window, a rarity this time of year in rainy Oregon. As I saw it dance over the plant that my sister Jane and her husband sent me after Cee died, I thought what a metaphor for grieving it was. The plant arrived with bare roots and the potting material. I got it settled into its new home immediately, but it’s been a month since then and it is only now starting to get new growth.
So I grabbed my iPhone and took a couple of shots. Except in the first one I cut off the left side of the plant. On the second shot I cut off, you guessed it, the right side of the plant. Then I noticed how busy the background was so I tried to find someplace else to put my plant but I wanted the sunshine. Cee would have known how to do something with the background. I can imagine her looking down on me with her librarian stare and just shaking her head.
Yeah, honey, you made it look so easy!
So here’s the thing about grief. It requires a lot of patience. Like the plant, I’ve been all bare roots and unpotted for over a month now. Bare roots mean that you’re open to all kinds of pain and confusion. The world seems scary in a way that you can’t even imagine. You plant your roots by reaching out to those you know and trust, by finding comfort in little everyday things, by spending time thinking about all the good times, the happy times you’ve had. You make sure you’re getting good food, lots of water and plenty of sunshine. And lots and lots of rest, when you can, as you can, because your roots are in shock from the upheaval in your life. But little bit by little bit, as you take root in your life again, you find new growth happening. Maybe it’s a smile when you didn’t think you could smile any more. Maybe it’s seeing a butterfly or hearing a child laugh. Maybe it’s waking up one morning realizing that you slept through the night. But new growth will come. Slowly, hesitatingly, but it will come.
Hugs to all!
Chris, in Cee’s memory
Cee's Photo Challenges 
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Hi Chris, seeing the new growth – and then reading about your grief and process, I felt moved and sending your a blog hug.
Also, your post reminded me of one of my favorite grief quotes: “Grief is like a persistent shadow that we learn to live with rather than overcome entirely” from CS Lewis in his book, “A Grief Observed” which has insightful reflections on bereavement following the death of his wife, Joy.
Anyhow, so many of us are thinking about you at this time 🙂
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Chris, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and continuing the FOTD challenge; we all get a chance to remember and honour Cee.
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Thank you, Chris. Here are my wildflowers FOTD: https://fakeflamenco.com/2025/05/01/spring-at-governor-nelson-state-park/
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Thanks, Chris, for continuing Ce”s FOTD. XOX
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Sending love your way dear Chris, you and Cee will always be in my thoughts when I photograph a flower. Love and Light, Xenia 💖
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Dear Chris, all my flowers will be for dear Cee,
https://photographyofnia.com/2025/04/29/for-you-dear-cee/
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Grief takes time, it is always with you but you learn to live with as a lovely friend. Roots as a metafora is great you start a new way of living. As for the background – it is always tricky, but I do same sometimes – if you can make it easier, why not. Take care.
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LinsArt: Friday Catch Up – 25th April 2025
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Thanks for sharing this Chris. So very well said. You are really good at this writing thing. I knew that felt good getting that onto paper ( so to speak).
Pat
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Patience is a good word for what you need to get through grief. And new growth does happen eventually. I love the way you wrote this. And I think the picture turned out just wonderful in the end!
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That’s beautifully expressed Chris, and a message of hope to anyone else going through the same grieving process. I reckon Cee would be proud of your commitment to keeping the blog going and your determination to put down those roots.
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Here is my contribution: Cee’s FOTD: a love letter written in wingbeats
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Beautifully express through your writing and photo. Thank you for sharing your thoughts– “…But new growth will come. Slowly, hesitatingly, but it will come.”
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Beautiful post.
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Well, you definitely have a gift for words, Chris. Thanks for sharing!
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Here’s my contribution today
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Lovely post Chris. The plant looks like two hearts entwined. It will be beautiful in full bloom.
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A beautiful post, Chris
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Having been in your shoes, your words ring so true. This new growth emerges slowly but surely, leaving the harshness of grief behind us. A beautiful post, Chris.
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Appreciated
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Such an ‘open’, honest and very well written post, Chris; thank you. Your words and Cee’s photos – such a partnership and so inspiring to all.
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More power to your new growth, Chris. This is a very lovely post.
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Beautiful post, Chris and wonderful selection of FOTD.🙏
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Such a beautiful post, Chris… smiling at the idea of Cee’s ‘librarian stare’, what a great description! Sending hugs ❤
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No wonder that Cee was so happy with you for all those years, Chris. I can feel the warmth of your personality from here. It’s a tragic and terrible journey to go through. I’ve watched it happen to many friends and wondered how well I would cope. You never know, do you? I’m amazed at your wisdom. It’s a beautiful plant. I love the two hearts and scarcely even noticed the background. Thanks so much for sharing with us xx
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What a beautiful post. You two complemented each other so well – you with your gift for well chosen words: Cee with her photographer’s eye. I love the way you are continuing to let us know Cee better through your observations: and introducing yourself too, as you were at the core of everything Cee thought or did. I’m glad you’re beginning to find at least occasional moments of joy again. I’m sure that would make Cee happy.
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Dear Chris, this is beautiful post, you are doing great. My heart always with you, and always I will keep my flowers for dear Cee, Thank you, Love and Hugs, nia
https://photographyofnia.com/2025/04/14/always-for-you-dear-cee/
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Chris, that was beautifully said—like sunshine through grief’s fog. Your metaphor of bare roots settling into a new pot is tender, raw, and healing all at once. Cee’s light clearly still shines in you.
Sending a warm smile and a quiet nod from the heart.
Hugs back
Philo
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Beautiful heartfelt post.
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I’m glad to see you posting, Chris. My post today happened to have a flower photo, so I’ll add the link here. The background is a concrete wall. I’m not much of a photographer, either. 😀
https://whatrhymeswithstanza.com/2025/04/13/pink-moon/
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You only need this blog to learn from the maestro herself, Chris!
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You’re making Cee proud!! I hope you continue to find joy in your memories.
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Thanks, Nora. I have more ideas of posts but I just need to find the energy to put them together. And, yes, I do find joy in our memories.
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Thank you for posting a picture of this heartfelt positioned plant. I think it may be bamboo. I hope you continue your connection with this community. We will appreciate any photos you can post. Stay strong and know we are all thinking of you.
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Thanks, Anne. I’m going to try to post more frequently.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks. Lakshmi.
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Chris, photography may be hard at times, but the results are so gratifying. You showed that in these photos. Here’s my contribution:
https://throughbrazilianeyes.com/biking-through-spring-color/
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I love your flowers. Verbena is a favorite of mine and I didn’t know it grew wild. So pretty.
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Hi, Chris. The Prairie Verbena is pretty common here in Texas. It’s often appears in the first batch of spring wildflowers. I’m glad you liked these flowers. More to come…
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So beautiful, Chris.
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A lovely shape, just right for the moment Chris.
Here is my contribution
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Karen said it–you are the wordsmith and very eloquent, Chris! Cee would be proud! And like Brian commented, finding a good backdrop in which to place an object for a photos is difficult for anyone of us! The metaphor of the plant is perfect. Love that shot of Cee! Great to see your FOTD post, I’ve linked to it:
https://secondwindleisure.com/2025/04/13/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-dramatic-shades-of-purple/
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Spectacular photos on your site. I loved the ones from Wooden Shoe. When were you down in our neck of the woods?
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Thank you, Chris! Last year at this time! My cousin lives in Tigard.
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I remember Cee saying something about that. I’m so sorry she was never well enough to meet you. She would have liked that.
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I would have too. We did some zoom calls with a couple other bloggers in early 2021. Those were some good times.
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Chris–you are doing great!
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Thanks, Lois! Working hard at it. LOL
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I had to laugh at the finding the right spot for the plant to take a photo. I do that with my indoor stuff all the time 🙄 Yes you would be getting “that look” from Cee
It is a lovely gift.
You are doing well looking after yourself 🥰
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Thanks, Brian. I might have to get with you for some WP lessons. The last time I did any serious blogging I was still writing my own HTML code. All this modern stuff with blocks and the like is just nasty.
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You will get used to blocks. They are quite easy to use. WP have made loading photos easier too with drag and drop.
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If you want to Zoom let me know. My mornings are your afternoons 😁
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🤗
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Thanks, Deb.
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You put your heart into your words like Cee put into her photos. I appreciate your honesty and know it took a lot of strength and courage to share.
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You are doing great. I bet Cee is also looking down and smiling. I have enjoyed her/your site for years but rarely did more than “like” the post. My heart goes out to you as you wander the lonely path of grief. I am a member of a nonprofit that offers free resources for those wandering through grief. I post the link here in case it helps.
https://www.griefandhappiness.com
I would love to send you a book, if I had your address. Here is my email address: [email protected]
It doesn’t get easier per se, but you keep moving forward.
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Oh Chris, she may have commanded the photography, but you are the Wordsmith. Beautiful sharing of where you’re at, and a gentle suggestion for all of us in the same sea. Thank you.
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