“Turn your face to the sun,
and the shadows fall behind you”
Maori Proverb
I am participating in a memorial tribute to Tina Downey, a well-known and beloved blogger who recently passed away. Tina’s favorite flower was the Sunflower, and today we are all honoring Tina with our Sunflower Blogfest.
How fitting: Tina and Sunflowers
A flower whose face seeks the sun in all its vibrant warmth and blazing glory.
A flower that towers in the fields; whose stalk is sturdy; and whose face is perpetually open to the world.
Sometimes bent; rarely broken; swaying with the blustery wind; standing strong against the rages of crackling lightning, booming thunder and pounding hail.
Hearty souls dwelling on the high plains under crisp blue skies and towering Colorado mountains.
Tina and Sunflowers
Forever linked.
Singing their spirit chorus, blessing Heaven and Earth:
Life Is Good
bemuzin 
Comments on: "Sunflowers for Tina" (60)
That’s a beautiful tribute Sammy xx
Thank you, Lainey. Have a joyful week XXOO
You too Sammy xx
Reblogged this on SteamPooka and commented:
Sharing this. Blogging is a community, a lot of us find our Tribes online and this is a lovely tribute to a blogger who was and still is well loved…
Lovely tribute.
Than yiu, Carrie. I hope this week brings you many reasons to smile. Big hugs, Dammy.
What a beautiful tribute. Is the sunflower at the top of the blog your artwork? I am assuming that the beautiful poem was written by you. It is beyond beautiful.
I never knew Tina; that was my loss. Clearly she was an amazing woman.
Dear Shelley – yes and yes. I spent many hours on my “tangle” flower which gave me lots of time to think about Tina, what she means to me, and how to carry her spirit with me into future blogging.
Thank you very much for your kindness. May you have a truly love-filled week.
Very nice.
Thank you, Dan. I hope your week includes sunshine and laughter.
I can’t control sunshine but there’s always laughter. Thanks.
Just lovely, Sammy. You are quite the poet, and I know Tina is reading your lovely words.
Love,
E
Thank you, Elizabeth. I see her, halo slightly askew and her boisterous demeanor, exhorting the angels to rally for a heavenly blogfest.
She had a heart of gold. It must have come from the sunflowers 🙂
Lovely post, wonderful poem and zentangle! My favorite flower too.
I had not heard about this tribute because i stopped the subscription. xo
Thanks, Katie. I should have posted a reminder, but was so wrapped up in finishing my tangle.
I know you’ve drawn some lively ones yourself – saw one just the other day on the side of your blog. I thought if Tina when I enlarged it to look at your detail.
Week of joy for you, dear Katie.
thank you for the beautiful art and sharing in remembering Tina.
Thank you, Jeremy. Tina was inspiration personified.
Love the tribute, Sammy! And thank you so much for your lovely comment on mine. Feeling blessed to be connected!
Thank you, Vidya. I appreciate all you have done to support the success if A to Z Challenge.
May your week be filled with blessings.
Nice job on the sunflower drawing! it’s beautiful, and Tina would love it!
Thank you, Sherry. It gave me many hours of comfort and contemplation; Tina stays with me, that’s for sure.
I hooe you have a joyful week.
And the sunflower is the state flower for Kansas…where I live!
http://smidgensbitsandsnippets.blogspot.com/
Paula, I forgot that about Kansas! I once saw a sunflower-filled field near our airport and it took my breat away.
Sending love and well wishes to you this week; Richard and Tina are often in my thoughts.
Lovely! You´re really skilled!
Thank you, Ninna. Love for Tina was my inspiration.
Have a Life Is Good week, dear Ninna.
Thank you! Life is Good week to you too! ❤
Amen! Wonderful that you made a sunflower for her.
Thank you, Alex. She is so special. I commented on your tribute this morning, but I’m not sure it went through. I am glad that you and Tina were able to enjoy your close “sibling” relationship for several years.
Take care and know she and her family will always be un my prayers.
So moving, Sammy. Love the flowers, and the special one you made. So very thoughtful.
Thanks, Silvia. I hope you have many reasons to smile this week. 💖
Beautiful! Love the drawing, and the photos are lovely, too.
Thank you, Melissa. The photos are courtesy of Google images, but the drawing and love for Tina are all mine 🙂
Have a great week with a laugh or two.
I love your creative sunflower…and who would have thought you and I are featuring the same quote for Tina’s tribute today?! The way you describe the great sunflower can also be likened to Tina. That’s what I thought as soon as I read the part about sometimes bending but not ever breaking. She was a strong and caring woman who will be greatly missed.
~Nicole
That’s so nuce you stopped by, Nicole. It seems Tina’s friends nit only lived her but have lots in common themselves. We need to keep the snark and joy going for her!
Woweeeee Sammy oh goodness ther is truly stunning gosh slightly dumbstruck at the detail! What a lovely tribute x
Thank you, Justine. Tina brought out the best in a lot of people 🙂
That Zentangle sunflower is stunning Sammy!
… and your words really touched me… they are beautiful… now I feel all teary-eyed again… *deep breathe*
Life is good!
I know, Michelle. I’ve had bouts of teats today, too, but they’ve been happy ones in admiration of the number of people whose lives are brought together through our blogging. Tina was a force all by herself!
I ❤ your zentangle. I'm sure Tina would have too. A beautiful tribute Sammy.
Jude xx
Thank you, Jude. It was a joy to work on and think about her and all of you.
Beautiful.
Thank you, Pam.
That was just beautiful. That captures Tina so well.
Thank you,
Heather
Thank you, Heather. I’ve seen Tina’s essence expressed many true and heartfelt ways these past few days. This Sunflower Fest has been cathartic and uplifting.
That is really perfect. Wonderful job.
Thank you for participating in Tina’s tribute.
Beautiful art work and words Sammy thank you.
Thank you, Susan. Happy to share this day with you.
A very touching tribute.
Thank you very much.
that was so good… and I’m so glad to get to you meet you through her.
Thank you, Tammy.
I think the thing I’m loving best about our sunflower day, is that each one is different. As unique as Tina was…
Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by. She was a treasure 🙂
Hi Sammy – thanks for posting such a brilliant sunflower picture .. crazy one – but fun and fitting your Bemuzin site … Tina will be missed and was just one of those special ladies .. cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary. She sure was – i have truly enjoyed hearing about other bloggers relationships with Tina because I continue to know her better.
What a lovely, creative tribute. Thank you for your kindness.
Thank you, Laurel. Your words mean a lot to me.
Your artwork and poem are wonderful, and incredibly touching.
Thank you, Shannon. I appreciate your kind words.