Essay

“Helianthus”

Have you ever thought of why things happen the way they do? Like happiness just lasts for a minute or worst a second. Because the moment you survive through a storm, life suddenly whispers behind your ears saying ‘Wait, I have more.’ No matter who you are or how old you are, we all face various obstacles and challenges that makes our lives difficult. The road will not always be smooth. Do you believe that how you react to what you are faced with determines what kind of outcome the rest of your journey through life will be like?

A lot of times life doesn’t go the way we want it to but we have to learn how to deal with it. I remember the day she left. It was raining so hard that time. Maybe that’s the reason why I’m afraid of the thunder and the storm. Or should I say I’m afraid of life cause my life has always been a storm. I wonder what she looks like right now. It’s been years since the last time I saw her. But last month was a different kind of heartbreak. He left. I can’t help but to question life. Of all people why should it has to be me? Why do I have to be away from my parents? A lot of unanswered question. It is true that some of the challenges we face will test our courage, strengths, weaknesses, and faith. But at the end of the day it is the person who we become that is important. Now I recalled how my father used to call me “Helianthus”, another term for sunflowers and I learned that sunflowers symbolizes endurance and strength to persever through the hardest moments. There it hits me. I really am like a sunflower who always look at the brigther side of life. And so I decided to visit my father. On my way home i drop by the flowershop nearby our house. As i was choosing for a sunflower something caught my attention. A decayed sunflower. With no hesitation i decided to buy it. The vendor asked why would i want to buy a decayed sunflower. ‘With proper care i could help it bloom again. Maybe this sunflower needs someone who understands’ i answered.

Difficulties test the true character of a human being. Life is beautiful just like a sunflower but it has challenges just like a storm and have to be faced and overcome by all. As for me, I choose to perceived the struggles i’m faced with to polish my character and make me a better person. Don’t be afraid to battle with the problems that you encounter. We live in a world we didn’t choose but we shouldn’t make this world choose the person who we become.

Krisha Mae C. Acoba