Today is “midsummer”. It is the halfway point between the first day of summer and the first day of fall. It is when the first of the year’s harvest (gardens) are full of vegetables, fruits, and blooms. It is also when the sunflowers burst forth. You may be seeing them…everywhere.
Did you know that sunflowers always turn their face to the sun? This is called “heliotrophic” (“helio” means “sun”). Watch them, notice how sunflower blooms follow the sun. This can be a good lesson for us. We, too, can follow the “sun”. Following the Sun for us might mean that we choose to turn our faces toward what is kind and good in the world. It can remind us to be kind to other people (and animals) and to help do good. It can remind us to try to be like people who show us good ways of living.
How might you turn your face toward the “Sun”? What good and kind things might you do this week? You could hold a door for someone, help someone with their grocery bags, send a note card to someone, donate to a charity, pick up trash, bring someone flowers, draw someone a picture…the ideas are endless! Have fun finding ways to bring some kindness and goodness into the world you love.
For our explorers and little scientists: There are other plants that follow the sun through the day. How many plants and flowers can you find and name that are “heliotrophic” this week? You might also look for plants that rise and set with the sun: they close up at night and open up each morning (morning glories do this!).
*Parent’s Note: please let us know if you’re comfortable with us posting your child’s work on the website, facebook page, or both. Let us know if we may credit your child with their first name.
Community Church of North Orange & Tully 