Sunflowers we grew | Charlotte Joyce

Sam’s art!

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:12:53 +0100

Sam’s lovely drawing of a sunflower, set in artistic (and refreshing) blue, for Jane’s birthday card, July 2015

Coates’ home

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:11:31 +0100

Again, not grown by us - but a beautiful presence in our living room.

At Moortown Baptist Church, 20 June 2014

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:06:45 +0100

No, we didn’t grow these - but the church had lots of sunflowers that Sunday.

Laura & Lucy - 2 - Bristol

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:05:35 +0100

another great one, grown with love by Laura and Lucy, who instigated the Sunflower seed 'movement’.

Sam’s sunflowers - 3

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 01:20:23 +0100

Phil, Jane, Laura, Sam and Lucy - (spot Archie the dog?) at the side of our home in Leeds, Thursday 24 July early evening.

Sam's sunflowers - 2

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 01:07:01 +0100

One of the medium height sunflowers at the front of our home, grown by Jane (Nanna) and Sam

Sam's sunflowers - 1

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 01:03:30 +0100

Sam, with our GIANT sunflowers at the side of our home in Leeds, on Wednesday 23 July, 8.37am: the one on the left is 2.53m high, 28cm across the flower head, the one on the right is 2.03m high, 26cm across the flower head! Grown by Jane and Sam, they dutifully follow the sun during the day and are a big favourite with the bees, and with us! These are so tall that all of our neighbours can see them over our garden wall - a great reminder of Char (and Rich) who are much loved in our neighbourhood.

Rod & Colette Teunissen - New Zealand

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 00:57:44 +0100

The messages make me cry and smile at the same time. What a fabulous mummy and daddy did you have Sam! I so enjoyed the emails Charlotte and I shared in the last year since Rich’s passing. Both Charlotte and Rich, have literally reached the corners of the world with their faith and passion for people.

I love the idea of the sunflowers, so special. I tried to grow a few but as it is now autumn/winter in New Zealand I think it was a little too late. I will certainly try again in spring but in the meantime, I have a plastic yellow flower/bee in the garden. It buzzes around in the wind and keeps on smiling, just like your mum and dad Sam!

from Nikou

Sun, 27 Jul 2014 08:49:59 +0100

Nikou, age 7 from Moortown Baptist Church, grew this sunflower and gave it to Sam on 13 July

Helen Ankrett - Leeds

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:23:45 +0100

Helen Ankrett, Wheatfields Hospice (where Charlotte worked) - "taken very early morning last week at my allotment overlooking Meanwood. Hopefully you can see three sunflowers standing proud in the foreground - seemed the perfect place to remember Charlotte”.

Diane - Nottingham

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:18:05 +0100

From Diane, a colleague of Charlotte’s brother John from Nottingham Trent

Gary & Helen Szilagy - Liverpool

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:01:43 +0100

Friends from Frontline Church, Liverpool

Pikes - Norfolk

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:59:51 +0100

Gill & Steve Prisk - Liverpool

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:53:42 +0100

Gill & Steve Prisk, great friends of Rich and Char in Liverpool (Frontline church). Gill writes; "a picture of one of our 'Charlotte' sunflowers. I thought Sam would like it. This is a very special sunflower because unlike all the others it has never looked sideways or turned its head, it has always stared straight up to the sky - always looking up. It makes me think of Charlotte, because in everything she went through, she never took her eyes off Jesus. Sam, we have loved growing sunflowers this year, and will keep doing it, as it is a lovely reminder of your wonderful Mummy and Daddy."

Laura & Lucy - Bristol

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:49:19 +0100

Charlotte’s sister, Laura and Lucy were responsible for the distribution of sunflower seeds at Charlotte’s funeral - here’s some from their garden in Bristol. "I've got about 4 out the front about to bloom & this is one of 4 in the back garden. So beautiful & makes me think of Char. A few more seedlings are coming through to make up round 2 which I might give away to some friends."

Jaffreys - Cairo Egypt

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 19:06:58 +0100

Felicity and Mark Jaffrey (of Frontline Liverpool) working in Cairo, Egypt - this is the first of the sunflowers in 2014 - picture sent 11 May 2014. Felicty wrote: "This is a sunflower for Sam that we grew on our Cairo roof top in a large pot in memory of precious Charlotte. Rich and Charlotte visited us in Egypt before Sam was born and we have wonderful memories of our time with them. This is the first year I have successfully grown a sunflower here despite trying every year! I planted this one hoping that it would eventually bless you and I'm glad that it came up."