Bright sunflowers had greeted Nadia each time she’d visited her baba Oksana.
As a small child, she’d watched her grandmother cook traditional Russian meals while recounting tales of her journey to the new land she’d eventually call home.
She’d traveled on a crowded boat with few belongings. The small amount of sunflower seeds she’d brought to eat were almost gone by the time she’d arrived.
Oksana decided to plant the leftover sunflower seeds in remembrance of her home; left behind.
Imprinted in Nadia’s heart, memories of her baba Oksana’s smile and love of sunflowers.
Nadia planted sunflowers at her grave.
2019©Isadora DeLaVega
Word Count:100 words
Genre: Flash Fiction
Photo Prompt:©Ted Strutz
To join Rochelle and her
Friday Fictioneers challenge:
click here
*****The dictionary terms and basic forms for grandfather and grandmother in Russian are dedushka and babushka. They’re often shortened for children to ded (grandfather) or baba (grandmother).
Inside the Mind of Isadora 
October 16, 2019 at 5:00 am
Sunflowers bring such light, but here they symbolize sorrow as well. I enjoyed your story, Isadora.
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October 16, 2019 at 2:56 pm
I’m pleased you enjoyed my story. Thanks 😊😎
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October 16, 2019 at 8:33 pm
You’re very welcome 🙂
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October 15, 2019 at 11:06 am
A lovely story of the love of family shown by the sunflowers, Isadora. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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October 17, 2019 at 5:13 pm
I’m pleased you enjoyed my story, Suzanne, thank you.
The sunflowers was significant to their relationship.
Isadora 😎
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October 14, 2019 at 10:49 pm
Your tale is quite poetic. It reminds me of my dad. He loved sunflower seeds. He called them, “Spits.”
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October 17, 2019 at 5:15 pm
Aahhh … it must be because of the seeds that your father enjoyed the sunflowers so much.
I always enjoyed eating them as a child. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Isadora 😎
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October 18, 2019 at 5:55 pm
My dad grew them and made his own even.
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October 14, 2019 at 5:03 pm
You certainly have a knack for storytelling, Isadora. Such a touching tale. Sunflowers will always connect Nadia to her baba.
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October 14, 2019 at 6:34 pm
Thank you very, very much, Magarisa. Your comment brought a huge smile to my face. I’m always trying to create a want in my stories. I’m pleased you enjoyed this story. Yes, I believe there will be a connection in Nadia’s heart for sunflowers. Have a fantastic week … Isadora 😎
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October 14, 2019 at 7:18 pm
De nada, Isadora. Your writing certainly has emotional depth.
Gracias… igualmente! Mags
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October 14, 2019 at 4:06 pm
I loved this sentimental tale. And I love sunflowers.
Tracey
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October 14, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Sunflowers always look like they’re smiling. I believe it’s the reason they’re loved by so many. Thank you, Tracey, for enjoying my story and commenting. Have a fantastic week … Isadora 😎
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October 14, 2019 at 10:27 am
Grandparents have a wonderful impact on children. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a close relationship with any of my grandparents. But I have seen many people who do, and their lives are so much richer for it. What a fitting tribute to plant sunflowers at her grave. Yet she must feel such a sense of loss.
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October 14, 2019 at 6:29 pm
I believe grandparents can give advice that might be listened to more than from a parent. I wish I could say I have a close relationship with my grandchildren. I do not. Perhaps, that will be a regret my children will have some day when they look back on life.
My great grandmother influenced me profoundly. I live by many of the things she told me. All one needs is one person to do that for us.
I’d like to believe that Nadia was grateful for their relationship. Although, she’ll miss her she’ll always have her lessons to remember her by. Fatima, thank you for visiting and leaving your insightful comment.
Isadora 😎
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October 13, 2019 at 7:03 pm
Loved the sunflower seed device and imagery. Nice one.
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October 14, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Thank you, Iain. Lovely comment I truly appreciate.
Isadora 😎
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October 12, 2019 at 5:07 pm
I love the joy the idea of sunflowers brings to your story. Also the memories of her baba, (Sunflowers were my dad’s favorite flower.)
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October 12, 2019 at 7:15 pm
The sunflowers were a tangible item for Nadia to remember her baba Oksana.
I was bringing together the past and the present meanings of the sunflowers.
I’m happy you found meaningful. Yes, Alicia, sunflowers are loved by many.
Hope it brought back loving memories of your father. I’m glad to see you here again.
Isadora 😎
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October 12, 2019 at 12:39 pm
This is a simply beautiful yet poignant tale, Isadora.
Here’s my story
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October 12, 2019 at 7:04 pm
I’m smiling from your very complimentary comment, Keith.
Thank you so much. Have a wonderful Sunday … Isadora 😎
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October 12, 2019 at 10:45 am
Querida Isadora,
Nadia was lucky to have her baba Oksana. No doubt she had a richer childhood because of her grandmother and her stories. Heartwarming story. Sunflowers just took on a new meaning. Bien escrito mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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October 12, 2019 at 7:10 pm
Querida Rochelle,
I wanted to bring a sweet, loving relationship between Nadia & her baba.
Food has a way of bringing family together. I’m so pleased you found it heartwarming.
I wanted that element to come through. It’s the reason I added the sunflowers. A tangible item
with a big meaning behind it. Gracias, mi amiga, muy agradeceda.
Abrazos,
Isadora 😎
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October 12, 2019 at 8:02 am
Nicely told , rather sad.
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October 12, 2019 at 10:31 am
Going to a new country to live a better life can be sad and difficult. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Isadora😎
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October 12, 2019 at 5:39 am
This is really nice.
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October 12, 2019 at 10:32 am
Thank you 😊
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October 12, 2019 at 12:47 am
Very nice write. Sad, but I trust Oksana lived a full life.
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October 12, 2019 at 10:34 am
It must be difficult to leave your country for a better life. I’d like to believe it was for the best. Thanks, Trent. Have a good weekend.
Isadora😎
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October 12, 2019 at 12:02 pm
I’m sure leaving home looking for a better life would be very difficult. You have to wonder how bad it is for so many people to be doing it today.
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October 12, 2019 at 7:03 pm
I see it as a life or death situation if you take the news info into account.
We’re blessed to be a part of the USA despite the problems. What will this
world be like for our children and grandchildren? 😎
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October 12, 2019 at 7:42 pm
Yes, it is life or death in many situations. I’ve always been an optimist, but things have been sliding down so much all over the world for years now so it is hard keeping that optimism…
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October 11, 2019 at 11:23 pm
So many plants must have made their way around the world this way
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October 12, 2019 at 11:00 am
I imagine many things brought by immigrants became staples we use today. Cultural diversity at play. Thanks for reading and commenting,Neil.
Have a good weekend, Isadora😎
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October 11, 2019 at 10:11 pm
Another beautiful tale with a beautiful but sad ending.
Well done Isadora.
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October 12, 2019 at 11:06 am
The lives of immigrants is a difficult one. They leave behind a familiar life to have a better life. Hopefully, it’s worth all of the sacrifice. It can never be joyful to leave those you love behind. Old photographs bring those sacrifices into the present. Always a pleasure to have you here commenting,Drew Thank you ☺
Have a superb weekend. Isadora😎
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