Pappy's Flower

Photograph Story | Pappy's Flower

There are some people who spend their entire lives being compassionate, honest, loving and genuinely good people. My pappy was one. Even though he has been gone for many years, I can still hear his voice and laugh when remembering moments together. He was such a great man.

Many of my memories of him involve time in his garden, workshop and hiking in the woods with hand carved walking sticks. He loved animals, the earth and every person who was part of his life.

The rose of Sharon trees in my parents' backyard belonged to my Pappy. They are a beautiful reminder of him and how he loved spending his days. I absolutely love having such a lovely symbol of him waiting for me each time I look through their sun room windows.

The blooms began to appear a little early this year. I captured this photograph a few days before Father's Day, the day my Pappy passed away. The rain had stopped and the flowers were sprinkled with raindrops.

My mom recently told me he loved exploring with a camera and always slowed them down on family vacations. I like to think my sense of adventure, eye for natural beauty and desire to stop and capture photographs came from him.