Eleven years ago today, my dad took his life after a long struggle with mental instability and depression. His favorite flower was the tulip, so each year I set some out to remember. Only lately have income to learn more about this little flower, the tulip, and I am always moved to tears by the correlations of packing yourself up after losing someone to suicide. Here’s why tulips are my favorite flower:

🌷 Tulips are heliotropic; they bend, move, arc and twist themselves throughout the day in order to orient themselves in the best position to receive light. They reach for it. They make an effort to find it, no matter their current position.

🌷 Tulips are also photonastic; their flowers close up at night when there is no light available…and reopen once again when the light returns. Tulips keep on trying, keep on twisting and arching and moving to reach the sun, even after passing through a dark night.

May we all learn to be like the little tulip.

**If you are struggling, do not be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help from someone you love and trust in your life, or call this hotline to talk to a helper:    800-273-8255  You matter and you are worthy of happiness and hope and light. 🌷🌷🌷 Source info for tulips: SF Homeguides