There is a flower in my balcony, a beautiful orange one at that. It is brilliant and bright. One of those flowers, you always have to give a second look. It captivates you with its striking simplicity. It holds your attention effortlessly. I don’t quite know what it is called, though. Sunflower, perhaps. But trust me when I say that it shines in the virgin sunlight, shines like a million dollars. The orange is bold, bursting almost and just one glance at it warms your soul. There is something innocent, pure and deep about it. And I think it is my favorite of all the flowers in my small balcony garden. It is dearer to me than the orange rose, the pansies, and the begonias. It is my special flower.
There is one thing about it though which makes it even more wonderful and mysterious. It blooms like it never has before under the caressing sunlight but then withdraws into a half-open bud when the sun goes down. Just when you think it won’t spread out its petals once again, it surprises you by blooming the very next morning. And blooming with, what is the right way to explain it, more vigor and panache perhaps. Such miracles of nature, right?
There is something about this phenomenon – burgeoning under sunlight, retreating at dusk but then again blossoming the next morning – which reminds me of the effect of parenting in the life of a child. Or, even just positivity in a child’s life. It reminds me of my role in my daughter’s life, the real flower in my life’s garden.
Parenting is like being the sunlight under which your children can blossom the brightest. Share on X
Today, my daughter turns one and with it, the responsibilities increase manifolds. I want to provide her the sunlight basking under which she can grow and glow. I want her to shine bright like that orange beauty but from within, a shine that reaches far and wide. Every mother’s dream, probably. But even so. I want her to spread her wings, mature into a wonderful human being as beautiful as that flower. And that’s where my role becomes similar to that of the sun. I need to provide M that environment to be what she could be to the best of her abilities. I want to be her sun, her safety net. I want her to be a person as comforting as that flower. And it all depends on the quality of my parenting, what I give and equip her with.
And on those gloomy days when she hides in a cocoon, I want to be that soothing evening breeze that let’s her do so only to unfold brighter and better the next day. I want her to get up after ever dark night and soar high, live to the fullest, as beautifully as the orange flower in my garden. As relentless as the flower in my garden. I guess only time will tell.
She is my flower and I promise to be her sunshine and her calming breeze.
Tell me, what is that one thing a parent can do to give a good life to her child? And yes, do you know what flower it is?
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Wishing M the warmest birthday ever, the best children’s day and a life full of love, hope and blossoming joy. I love how you’ve compared the flower to the child in your care. Love, above everything else. May this be the beginning of wonderful things for her and you too, Naba.
Heartiest wishes to dearest Myra. May God bless her with the best of everything. Oh yes, parents feel like a shady tree allowing filtered sunlight to go through to help their children to thrive. You are doing a beautiful job. For me, parenting is all about balance.
Wishing ur little one the best of joys in life. As a parent, it’s important to nurture and let the child soar and at the same time , provide that lovely little cushion on earth below, so that he could come back anytime into the arms of the mother, who nurtures .
Wishing ur little one the best of joys in life. As a parent, it’s important to nurture and let the child soar and at the same time , provide that lovely little cushion on earth below, so that he could come back anytime into the arms of the mother, who nurtures .
Wishing ur little one the best of joys in life. As a parent, it’s important to nurture and let the child soar and at the same time , provide that lovely little cushion on earth below, so that he could come back anytime into the arms of the mother, who nurtures ..
What a lovely post, Naba. Happy 1st to M and wishing her a happy life. I loved how to drew parallels with the sunlight and the flower. You are right that parents need to be the guiding light and let children shine through their own strengths. Such a beautiful thought. 🙂 Hugs and lots of love to you two.
Happy Birthday to Myra. And also a beautiful children’s day wishes too. May she just bloom like that orange flower with so much f grace and boldness. I think love and trust is Something we should provide our child more than anything. The trust to let them be themselves and trust in us to come back when needed.
Happy birthday to your little girl, Naba. Wishing her a wonderful life. The flower is gorgeous and I love that shade of orange. 🙂 I enjoy parenting with love and logic. 🙂
Wishing a very happy birthday to your little girl. Parenting is a magic which gives you the wand to fulfil your child’s wishes. To me parenting is fun, happiness and also a lot of responsibility.
I was going to ask you this question – what flower is this? It looks beautiful and it’s behavior is so interesting.
Where did the year go? Loving wishes to darling M. May she continue to blossom and grow in the love of both of you and the extended family and community.
Beautiful!
Happy birthday to your little girl Naba dear:-) bringing out the best in your daughter, let her follow her dreams supporting her goals- thats my first thought. Lovely flower and lovely written post:-)
Orange is my favourite colour. I would love that flower, too.
I think the most important job a parent can do is be present and listen. Not just teach, but listen and learn and help your child to achieve their hopes and dreams.
Wish her a beautiful life ahead. May you be the light for her always so she can glow bright each day. #mg
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Naba for sharing your beautiful flowers… The best thing I think a parent can teach a child is to trust their innermost selves. Others opinions don’t mean more than their own, their instincts and intuitions are good, their inner self won’t ever steer them wrong.
What a gorgeous flower that is, and love the bright colour. I’m sure Myra has the same effect on you when you see her first thing in the morning, bright, beautiful and lovely! Parenting is a beautiful thing, no matter how many challenges life throws up. Here, your task as a parent is all the more important because you’re shaping another life and another mind. And that I think is the beauty of it all. I love to compare parenting to a beautiful pink rose that spreads its beauty and radiance all around, that spreads a soft gentle fragrance around and yet, is full of those hidden thorns that prick you when you least expect it. You get hurt, at times you bleed as well, but you don’t stop loving the beauty of the rose any less.
Naba, My blessings and heartfelt birthday wishes to your daughter M. And I’m delighted that she shares her birthday with me. We are SCORPIO girls.
Such a lovely way of expressing it, Naba. That is all our kids really need. Wishing M lots of love and happiness in the years to come. 🙂
Happy birthday. First birthdays are so precious. I think for me the most important thing I can do for my children is just be there to listen and guide, to role model self love, acceptance and happiness. #mg
Belated birthday wishes to your daughter :). I quite liked the way you compared the flower blooming in the sun to the effect parenting has on the child. It’s so true that children need a comfortable, loving and friendly environment to grow in which the parents ought to provide.