Have you noticed how many weeds put forth flowers, how dying flowers are rich in color, or how bugs on flowers are fascinating to watch?
Since the second of August I have taken a photograph of a flower every single day, and in doing so have begun to notice and appreciate those very things. This budding new series is called “Flowers for Mom” and is my artistic response to being the daughter of one with Alzheimer’s. There are days of feeling lost in the weeds, of grieving over what is no longer blooming, and of being bothered by pesky problems. Even so, when I pause and pay attention, what I see are new buds showing promise, beautiful flowers to be enjoyed exactly as they are, and butterflies pollinating the garden to ensure future blooms.
I have given myself rules for this series. All photos are horizontal and shot with the same lens. Only one image can be added to the collection each day, and I cannot store up photos to count towards future days. Digital cameras know the date when images were created, so even though I have some great B roll photos, I have to choose only one. To give you a sense of this part of my challenge, below are some that did not make the cut!
When I began this Camera Journey challenge it was summertime and flowers were abundant. My concern was that finding a flower a day in the fall would be increasingly difficult, yet each day naturally leads me to new beauty to be appreciated whether it be a fading bloom, a single stem in an arrangement, a vegetable garden blossom, or a roadside wildflower. Winter approaches and I expect my assignment will be increasingly difficult, so feel free to send messages to alert me of blooming opportunities.
When caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, flowers remind us that we can discover beauty in the most unexpected ways. May we choose to celebrate the good days and know that as the seasons change we can continue to find hope and cherish the flowers just as they are.