I had high hopes of gardening this summer. I have the (mostly unopened) packets of seeds to prove it. The few I did
plant didn’t produce much of anything to write home about.
I was pleased when I left the “page garden” of my office and walked out to my backyard with our dog during a break on production day while putting together the September issue. There it was—a solitary sunflower. (I think there might be another one or two stems that will flower
before all is said and done. Now, though, this bloom is alone in its majesty.)
This sunflower persevered just like we will persevere. We and our children grow and bloom amid chaos and upheaval.
Love one another. Wash your hands, wear your mask, be safe and stay well.
Melinda, parent of a teen & publisher
