The Sun (Flower) Also Rises

How this ever happened to you: you see someone from a distance whom you know instinctively you’re supposed to meet? Recently, that scenario happened, again, to me and it involved sunflowers.

Last week in Montecito, CA, while running errands (pharmacy, bank, hardware store), I saw a short, hispanic man walking through the parking lot carrying an armful of sunflowers. His smile was noticeable from afar, as his disposition was as sunny as the bouquet extending from his waist to his shoulders. The sight of this person happily walking around with bright, yellow flowers made my day.

While in the hardware store, the same fellow came inside to buy a can of paint. I watched as the clerk assisted him in a nearby aisle with his purchase. After the transaction, the man asked the employee if he wanted to buy some flowers. He declined, but I wanted to! Unfortunately, the guy left the store before I could finish my business. Moments later, I dashed outside, only to find the flower vendor already across the street.

“Why wasn’t I able to buy flowers from him?” I mumbled to myself while standing next to my car. “I felt like that was supposed to happen.”

The next day, I’m having lunch in Santa Ynez (about 45 minutes away from Montecito) and who walks into the restaurant but that same man….with his sunflowers. This time, however, he did not get away without my buying a bundle, and, more importantly, our having a pleasant exchange of dialogue that validated we were destined to meet!

As he walked away, I said, “I’m sure I’ll see you and your sunflowers again!” And, I will.

Love and light,

Tony

Sunflowers helped to make a people connection for me.