Nadia was stunned at how well the sunflowers had grown.
As a little child, she watched her grandmother, Oksana, cook traditional Russian meals while recounting tales of her journey to this new land she would eventually call home.
She told Nadia she’d traveled by boat for weeks. It was crowded. They were hungry. She had no belongings. The small amount of sunflower seeds she’d brought to eat were almost gone by the time they’d arrived.
Oksana felt bewildered by the new language, new customs and clothing.
She decided to plant the leftover sunflower seeds as a remembrance of her home left behind.
They grew tall. Bigger than in Russia.
Nadia never forgot her grandmothers love of sunflowers.
She remembered her smile was as big as a sunflower.
Nadia planted sunflowers at her grave.
2016©Isadora DeLaVega
Genre: Flash Fiction
Word Count: 133
Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers
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Prompt Photograph by Sonya @ Only 100 Words
Inside the Mind of Isadora 
January 28, 2016 at 11:05 pm
Wonderful story. I love the short sentence describing the journey on the boat. Very effective. And that the flowers were on her grandmother’s grave at the end just seems so bittersweet. nice way to wrap it all up.
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January 30, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Awww …. yes. It’s concise and to the point. But, that’s the way immigrants faced their new world.
My grandmother told me of the experiences she had. Of course, she wasn’t Russian but that’s why its fiction. : )
I like to have a bit of an emotional connection to an object especially if it’s in the photo prompt. It’s just the way I approach the prompts. I hope you think it’s effective. I’m trying to develop my own style and brand.
Lorna, you are always such an encuraging inspiration for me. I hope I am improving ‘Thanks to You’.
Namaste,
Izzy 😎
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February 9, 2016 at 6:23 pm
🙂 ❤
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January 28, 2016 at 1:40 pm
A story of hope, joy, and sadness … thus the conundrum of feelings.
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January 29, 2016 at 6:12 am
Death is always sad but having something special to remind us of those dear hearts
is a gift from those who have gone from us. The sunflowers at her grandmothers
grave will forever remind her of their loving times together.
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January 28, 2016 at 3:48 am
Oh wow. My guess is right. You have written such a heartfelt story. A sunflower as a symbol of migration, of a new life, and a life well-lived. This is such a soft yet moving tale. 🙂
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January 28, 2016 at 12:06 pm
I’m always fascinated with the way everyone who participates in the challenges interpret the photo prompts. We were both on the same path yet we veered off at the fork in the road. I’m pleased you liked my story enough to leave a stellar comment. Thank you for visiting. Come back real soon …. Isadora 😎
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January 29, 2016 at 4:47 am
Yes! I have the same thoughts, Isadora. It is quite fascinating actually. 🙂 It is my pleasure to read your lovely story. 🙂 I will surely be back! ❤
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January 29, 2016 at 6:10 am
Your welcome to visit and enjoy my quiet peaceful blog.
😎
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January 29, 2016 at 6:10 am
I will surely! I just followed.:D
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January 27, 2016 at 9:37 pm
A touching story, Isadora.
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January 27, 2016 at 10:13 pm
I’m thrilled you found it to be touching, Tom. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that, in some way, someone
will remember you fondly once you’re gone. Thank you for visiting and commenting today.
Isadora 😎
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January 27, 2016 at 10:15 pm
I think that’s what we’d all like, Isadora…
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January 27, 2016 at 10:21 pm
Yes … I know I’d love to be a fly on a wall once I’m gone. I’d want to know how I was remembered.
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January 27, 2016 at 1:30 pm
This story is wonderful Isadora! I love that her grandmother used the few sunflower seeds she had left from the old country to plant in the new country. And, I love how sunflowers remind her of her grandmother and she planted them at her grave. Great story! When I clicked on your link in InLinkz, it took me to a page that said, this page could not be found. I noticed a link to the right of the page and clicked on that to get to your story, but I’m not sure if everyone will be able to see that. Just thought you need to know.
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January 27, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Your glorious comment has put a smile on my face. I appreciate your stellar comment. 😍
Thank you for taking time out of your day to help correct my error. I will hopefully never do
that again.
Isadora 😎
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January 27, 2016 at 10:14 pm
LOL! I’m just glad we figured it out. 🙂 It was my pleasure, Isadora, your story is outstanding!
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January 27, 2016 at 10:19 pm
I wish I could say I had some input in fixing it but you did it all. I floundered a lot. LOL …. Thanks again!!! 😎
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January 27, 2016 at 10:20 pm
You’re welcome! I learned something new and that is, I can delete someone’s link and be able to put it back in again.
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January 27, 2016 at 10:22 pm
Detective work without a crime … LOL
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January 27, 2016 at 10:23 pm
Hahaha!
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January 27, 2016 at 9:11 am
That’s a lovely take on the image Isadora, well done, I hope they grew tall on her grave as well..
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January 27, 2016 at 10:11 pm
Yes, indeed. They must have. Thanks for appreciating my take on the photo challenge.
Isadora 😎
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January 27, 2016 at 6:59 am
Big bright sunflowers, what a lovely symbol for the future!
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January 27, 2016 at 10:10 pm
It’s amazing the way some childhood memories can stay with you. This story is fiction but when I saw the
sunflowers I wondered how it would feel to have someone I love have a great fondness for them. And so, the story.
Thanks …. have a great week.
Issy 😎
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