This week is the 14th anniversary of “Sunflower Seeds.” It was on February 13, 2012 when I posted my first reflection, and waited nervously to see if anyone would read it–besides a few of my friends. To mark this anniversary, I am giving away five free copies of my latest booklet, Walking with Mary through Light and Darkness. Thank you to all who entered the contest last week. Here are the lucky winners. Drum roll, please!
- Liz from Waynesboro, VA – she’s been reading this blog for about 2 years. She said she was “thrilled and grateful” to be a winner and added, “I need help from our Mother Mary to walk through light and darkness.”
- Mary P. from Whitestone, NY – years ago she used to read my column in Praying magazine (no longer in existence.) She wrote me a “fan letter” back then and I responded to her. She added, “In my entire life I wrote only two fan letters: one to you and one to a Mets player I had a crush on when I was 12!” Mary has been reading this blog “from the very beginning.”
- Sr. Josita DiVita, FDC from Staten Island, NY – when she saw how many readers had entered the contest, she thought, “No way will I win!” Several years ago she attended a presentation I gave at Georgian Court in Neptune, NJ. She’s been a reader of “Sunflower Seeds” from the beginning and “always looks forward to Mondays.”
- Celeste Hebert from Lafayette, LA – has been reading this blog for several years. Lately she’s been facing several “life challenges” and she hopes the Mary booklet will help her “find the peace I need.”
- Alice Fornuto from Greece, N.Y. – learning she was a winner was “a delightful surprise on a terribly winter day,” Alice said. She has not only been a reader of this blog for several years, she also forwards “Sunflower Seeds” to about 20 of her friends every week.
About 180 readers entered the contest–about 169 from the U.S. and 11 from other countries: Australia 3, Canada 6, Indonesia 1, Taiwan, 1. Entries came from 33 different states: Alabama 1, California 3, Florida 9, Georgia 2, Idaho 1, Illinois 11, Indiana 3, Kansas 2, Kentucky 6, Louisianna 2, Maine 1, Maryland 3, Massachusetts 4, Michigan 4, Minnesota 6, Missouri 7, Nebraska 2, New Hampshire 2, New Jersey 6, New York 8, North Carolina 5, North Dakota 1, Ohio 15, Pennsylvania 13, Rhode Island 1, Texas 10, Utah 1, Virginia 4, Wisconsin 7. (Some readers didn’t identify their state or country. Or they entered the contest by clicking “contact” at the top of the page. That’s why I don’t have an exact number.)
Today I’d also like to answer some questions I am sometimes asked about my blog. I’ll conclude this reflection with a short prayer.
What made you decide to write a blog? It was the strong urging of my friend, Sr. Susan Wolf, SND. She was already writing a blog “Catholic Web Solutions,” a blog to help parishes, religious congregations, and other groups to use the internet more effectively for mission. She said many people were searching the internet for encouragement for living their Christian faith. She thought I could provide a “service” for such people. I was hesitant. She was persistant. I finally said, “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
Did you have any fears or misgivings? Yes, definitely! First, just learning the mechanics of posting a blog was a BIG learning curve for me. I am no computer whiz. I reached out for help. Second, I wondered if I would run out of things to write about after a few months. Third, I worried about finding time to write a blog every week amid my other writing and speaking commitments.
What were your first blogs about? I began by explaining why I chose the name “Sunflowers Seeds.” My second post was a Lenten reflection. My third, “The Love of Books.” The fourth was about all the warning labels on products that tell owners what to do or what not to do–like the warning label on the baby stroller that says, “Remove child before folding.” But my fifth post took a terrible turn… for on February 27, 2012 there was a shooting at Chardon High School. Three boys were killed and one boy is in a wheelchair for life. I was at Mass that morning as the shooting was actually happening across the street from our church. I had just smiled and waved a sign of peace to Phyllis across the aisle from me. Later I learned one of the boys killed was her son…. If you want to read that post, just enter “Shooting at Chardon High” in the search box at the top right of this page. That fifth post reminded me that some reflections would emerge from awful events and the agonizing pain of others–and my own pain.
Where do you get all your ideas for things to write about? Everywhere! My personal prayer, scripture, all my reading, conversations, the news, movies, TV shows (especially on PBS), asking people questions, the people I meet while giving talks or retreats, my friends who say, “Hey, Melannie I have an idea for your blog,” my own struggles and joys, and observing things like trees or traffic or snowplows or people going up to receive Communion or children at McDonald’s or using my library card or watering my African violets or getting suggestions from my readers. (hint! hint!)
How long does it take you to write one blog? It depends. Sometimes maybe only an hour or two. But other times, longer. Much longer. I don’t keep track of how long I work on a blog, because I think it would discourage me. Sometimes, the writing might go easily, but then it takes me a long time to find the “right” pictures or the “perfect” song. But all that seeking is not time wasted. The seeking itself can nourish my soul or even lead me to topics for future blogs!
If writing your blog is often a lot of hard work, then what motivates you to keep doing it? Three things. One: I love my life and my Christian faith. I write out of gratitude for these two precious gifts. Two: I basically like to write. In fact I feel close to God when I write. I enjoy hanging out with words and wrestling with them to find the “best” way to say what I am trying to say. And three: I love my readers! If I had NO readers, I would end this blog and use my time for some other worthwhile endeavor.
Of all the blogs you’ve written, do you have a favorite one? The short answer is “no.” The longer answer is I am particulaly fond of some blogs because of the topic itself (like St. Joseph, prayer, the octopus, Abe Lincoln, the Mayo Clinic, and cinnamon), because of all I learned while writing it (like the sun, A.A., and the recent one on praying with your DNA), because of the fun I had writing it (like all the humor ones), because of the incredible writing of other authors I refer to (like in the book reviews and the quotations from my vast collection of quotes.) These three posts tend to stand out for me too: “A Kitchen Is a Holy Place,” “War and Peace,” and “Acceptance Speech for the Gift of Life.” When I finished writing these (and some other ones too), I found myself saying, “Where in the world did that come from?” I felt I had been (in the words of Mother Teresa) “a little pencil in God’s hand.”
Is there anything else you wish to say? Yes, I would like to conclude with this little prayer of thanksgiving.
Thank you, God, for my blog. Thank you for Susan’s encouragement and for giving me the courage to say “yes” to this important and life-giving ministry. Thank you, too, for the gift of technology that makes this blog possible. I praise you for the marvels of your creation that I am privileged to write about, and for the precious gift of faith that challenges me to ever-greater loving. I praise you for your presence in our past history… I believe that you are alive and active in our present times… and I trust that you will be with us in our future.
But most of all, my Beloved One, I praise and thank you for the readers of this blog. They are all very dear to me–as I know they are very dear to you! I am grateful for their taking the time to read my blog, for their comments, insights, and encouragement. I ask you to bless them and their loved ones with your love and strength. My my readers and I continue to reflect in our lives the gratitude, peace, and joy that come from knowing and loving you. Amen.
For reflection:
Do you wish to comment on anything in today’s blog?
Do you have a particular reflection you’ve read on this blog that you especially liked?
Do you have any suggestions for future topics?
P.S.
Our song today is “Center of My Life” written by Paul Inwood, produced here by Klengs channel. This prayer is based on Ps. 16. It captures the essence of our Christian spirituality: to make God, Jesus, and the Gospel the center of our lives.
As usual, I welcome your comments below!
60 Responses
Aloha, Melannie…
Aloha, all…
Greetings from Hawaii! I’ve been reading your blog for quite awhile, and the miracle is it never gets old; it’s always fresh, always spirit-filled. You have indeed been a little pencil of God. Mahalo!
John, I hope you and Kerry are having a fun time in Hawaii! You picked a great time to be away from the snow, ice, and frigid cold that is gripping so much of our country right now. Thanks for your kind words about my blog! Melannie
Congratulations on this anniversary of your blog! I am inspired with each one you write and share. Thank you for continuing to use your gifts to bring God’s goodness into our lives and into our world!
Delores, Thank you my dear friend of over 45 years! And may you continue to use your gifts in your ministry too–especially the gift of your friendship which I knew so well! Melannie
Dear Melannie, congratulations on the 14th anniversary of your blog! Thank you for saying “yes” to writing it. You have been blessed with creativity and have enriched spiritually many people from around the world.
May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire you!
Blessings,
Suzanne
Thank you for this blog, which I enjoy reading weekly. In the photo of the candles, I am the one leaning on other candles, still giving off light, after my granddaughter’s sudden death at 30.
Kay, My deepest sympathy to you on your profound loss. Yes, even when we lean in sorrow or pain, we can still emit our little light. And with great trust, we can lean on others who can support us in our grieving… I’m sure my readers will support you with their prayer too. Melannie
🙏Praying the Lord will bring you comfort & peace
Happy anniversary Sr Melannie! Thank you for your dedication to writing the inspiration we need each week! The candles are beautiful together…each of our lights together make life brighter
Cathy, Thank you for your words. Yes, even little lights, when gathered with each other, produce a brighter light than any of them could have produced alone! Melannie
I am grateful for your blog every Monday and have been reading and listening since 2015. You are nourishment for our souls, light and salt, goodness and kindness. A little pencil indeed spreading words of encouragement, humor, inspiration. Such a gift. Thank you for sharing so much with so many. You make a difference. Peace and blessings to you
Kathy, Thank you for reading this blog all those years. YOU too “make a difference” as you use the gifts God has entrusted to you–in the daily world you inhabit and the people you interact with every day! Melannie
A thankful anniversary for all your words
Every Monday bringing insight and worship. Your blog is helpful to many both spiritual and common place. Keep up the good work and thank you. Continued God’s blessings with your writings and health!
Greg, Thank you so much for your encouraging response to “Sunflower Seeds.” I appreciate your readership–and your obvious faith! Melannie
Congratulations, Sr., for 14 years of sharing and inspiring beauty in our world. One source of ideas you mentioned is watching “people go up to receive Communion”; that is often a special “pastime” of my own, after I have received. It helps me feel very connected to others, in our huge Catholic Church and my smaller parish community, and recognize that we are each unique but united in the act of worshipping and receiving Communion. When we walk up to Communion, we bring nothing but ourselves, the selves only God knows and loves fully. I’ve met you in Kettering, OH several years ago, attended one or two virtual retreats, read your books, and enjoyed your blog for at least 6 years.
Meg, I was glad to hear that you too often watch people going up to receive Communion. I used to think that was a distraction. Now I know it nourishes my soul–for the reason you gave: “it helps me feel connected with people.” And each of us brings only ourselves, as you so beautifully said, “the selves only God knows and loves fully.” ( P.S. You seem like a good writer to me!) Thanks for your comment! Melannie
MANY OF US DID NOT ENTER THE CONTEST AND THERE ARE SO MANY MORE FOLKS WHO LIVE FOR MONDAY MORNING TO TAKE YOUR PRECIOUS WORDS TO HEART. WE SEE THE SPIRIT OF GOD ALIVE IN YOU AS YOU SHARE SO MANY MEANINGFUL REFLECTIONS.tHROUGH YOU, THAT SAME SPIRIT AWAKENS IN THE LIVES OF MANY.
BE BLESSED IN EVERY WAY. SENDING MUCH LOVE
JANE, WHOM I’VE KNOWN AND LOVED FOR MANY YEARS… THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR FAITH WITH ME… FOR RECOMMENDING BOOKS TO ME… AND FOR BEING A SHINING LIGHT IN MY LIFE! MELANNIE
As you said Sister, “Thank God for my blog!” I am thanking Him for your blog too and for you! Always a source of inspiration or reflection, this is important in our lives.
Thank you for your kind words, Barb! And thanks for reading this blog! Melannie
Thank you for your blog and inspiration. I will always be thankful that you were a part of my spiritual formation in high school and continue with that inspiration through your writings. Blessings, Kathi ( Delis) Brickman
Kathi, It’s always so good to hear from a student I had in my first years of teaching. I remember you so well with your long blonde hair… on the quiet side… Teaching is one of the BEST “jobs” in the world! Thanks for writing! Melannie
Your blog helps make each of my Mondays a winner. Thank you for freely sharing it to enrich the Faith of those who read it and pass it along. Giddy up & God Bless your Friday the 13th!
Barry, And thank you for coming to that retreat weekend at Villa Maria in PA. Having Fr. Rich there with you his good friend was a treat for me–and for the entire group. Melannie
I look forward to your blog every Monday, Sr. Melannie. There is always something that makes me smile and starts my week off in the right direction. God bless!
Kathleen, And I look forward to Mondays too, seeing what my readers have to say on any given topic. Thanks for your comments along the way! Melannie
Happy “Blogaversary” Sr. Melannie! Your words inspire me, make me think, and sometimes make me laugh! I love how you write about such a wide range of topics. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and faith with us!
Ellen, I loved your new word “Blogaversary.” You must be a creative person! Thanks for your comment! Melannie
I look forward to reading your blog each Monday. If possible could you do one on books that you like. So many of the current books are full of sex and dreary. I would like to hear what novels that you have read that are uplifting and have some spiritual value.
I would be interested in this too!
Flo and Linda, Thank you for your suggestion about doing a blog on good books–especially novels. I’ll jot this suggestion down. Thanks to both of you! Melannie
Dear Sr Melannie,
You are a Scripturient – one who likes to /or urged to write! A new word I learned last week and because you like to write you make our Monday’s better. Thank you and happy 14 years! As a former teacher in Catholic schools many years ago I use to read all your books and essays in Praying Magazine. So happy your friend convinced you to blog! Blessings!
Maryanne, I have not heard of this word “scripturient,” so I looked it up. The definition you give is right on. Another definition said it is “the itch to write.” It’s an adjective, but alas!, it is becoming “obsolete.” Thanks for helping to educate me! Melannie
Congratulations Melamine on your 14th anniversary on your Sunflower Seeds blog.
You have been an inspiration to so many people throughout the country and world!
I greatly appreciate you sharing your spiritual insights. Your words have greatly inspired me.
May God continue to guide and inspire you,
Blessings,
Jane CSA
Jane, Thank you for your very encouraging words! And thank you for reading this blog! Melannie
I agree with all your readers. Your blog is part of my weekly prayer life. It is filled with the Spirit of Life.
Missy, I am honored and humbled that you use my words for your prayer… Thank you. Melannie
So thankful that you answered the call to share your gifts through your blog. I admire your courage and perseverance. You are truly a gift. I’ve known that most of my life and am so happy that so many others are receiving that gift of you. We are all so truly blessed.
Funny, I too am captivated by watching people go up to receive Communion. I especially enjoy watching parents with young children, how sweet to observe their example of love & dedication.
Congratulations Melannie, hope to enjoy sharing Mondays with you for many more years.
Loretta, my dear cousin, Yes, we’ve known each other for many years. Our family is truly a blessing for both of us. I too enjoy watching the love and dedication of parents when I see it. I always think, if we lowly and fallible human beings can love our children so much, how much God must love us–all of God’s children. Melannie
Melannie, you forgot to mention 1 person you are grateful for in your prayer of thanksgiving: and that’s you! I know it sounds strange to say thank you Lord for me. After all “me” is a pure gift of our Lord’s creation. Congrats on 14 years!
Joni
Joni, You make a good point. We should be grateful for the person God created when God created us–even though we might not always be in touch with our own goodness! Thanks for writing! Melannie
Happy anniversary! Huge fan of you and your blog, and have used many of your topics for my weekly presentations at the senior community I serve.
Very humbly I offer you some topic ideas:
– David Brook’s book: How to Know a Person
– Mary Jo Copeland (from stay at home mom to nonprofit founder of Sharing and Caring Hands & Mary’s Place)
– Rose Totino (from rags to riches – started pizza co. after radio encounter with God)
– Danny Thomas and St. Jude’s Hospital
– Life and spirituality of Jackie Robinson, Jimmy Carter (and Habitat for Humanity),
Elvis, Billy Graham, the Amish.
– Church bulletin bloopers
– Newspaper bulletin bloopers (i.e.., Dewey defeats Truman)
– Lost & Found items at schools, airports, etc.. and “lost and found” related to Amazing Grace hymn and John Newton
– Famous Kings – from monarchs to MLK to Nat King Cole/others to Christ our King
– Comic strips (shows) that cover spiritual subject matter – Family Circus, Peanuts (incl. a Charlie Brown Christmas)
– History of Girl Scouts and cookies
– U.S. Basilicas
–
If you find any of these helpful, I have some others
Mike, thank you for your fine list of suggestions for my blog. I guess I have to stay alive a little longer to complete your list… A few you suggested I’ve already included in a couple of my blogs (after all I’ve posted about 700 reflections!)–like church bulletin and newspaper bloopers and some of those comic strips I’ve used indirectly. I have to observe copyright laws, so I can’t just post comics and poems without permission or paying royalities. That cramps my style at times.. But Danny Thomas and St. Jude’s is already on my list… and so are the Amish… So stay tuned… Melannie
Regarding the candle photo:
Sometimes I’m the one apart from the others because I’m feeling all alone. Sometimes I’m the one leaning into another because I depend on the support of others. And sometimes I’m the tallest one because I’ve surrendered all to God. At all times, my flame is never extinguished. Thank you, Sr. Melannie, for the inspiration that helps keep me lit!
Annmarie, What a sweet yet strong little meditation your wrote on the candle photo. Thank you so much! We are different candles depending on our circumstanes–but always we are trying to shine our little light! Thanks for sharing this with us. Melannie
Congratulations on 14 yrs Sister Melannie! Your blog is a great way to start the week and your topics are always fresh and interesting. May God bless you with many more yrs of blogging.
Thank you for your beautiful words, Anita! Melannie
Congratulations! on 14 years of writing your blog, Melannie. 14 years of doing what you absolutely love! That in itself is such a gift! You’ve come a long way, baby! Keep in blogging!
Diana, And thank you, friend of many years, for your continued support in my life! Melannie
Happy Anniversary Sister, and thank you for listening and acting on the nudge you received to initiate it. Personally, I have learned to act on those nudges, the Holy Spirit uses others often to suggest them, but not always.
FYI…..many of us forward your blogs routinely so your audience may affect
Thousands of people.
Many blessings,
Marilyn
Marilyn, I agree: those little nudges are important to pay attention to–especially when they are persistent! And thank you for sharing my posts with others! That touches my heart! Melannie
I started reading your blog many years ago, when one was forwarded to me by a friend. I was intrigued by the content, but what hooked me was you were looking for a subject in a card catalogue in a photo…I was a librarian at the time so how could I resist!
Sadly, there are no card catalogues in libraries anymore, but I did manage to purchase one at an antique store.
Linda, I too regret that there are no card catalogues in our libraries anymore. But there are also so many new and wonderful things in our libraries–like internet access. But one thing that has NOT changed in our libraries: the kind librarians who are so knowledgable and so eager to help! I bet that’s the kind of librarian you were! Melannie
Your blog is truly a gift to all of us each Monday. I so look forward to your topic, your humor, ability to see the divine in the ordinary, and for the book references offered from you and other readers. Also love the books you have written.
Thank you, Sr Melannie, and keep up the great work!
Congratulations on 14 inspiring years.
Melanie, I really appreciate your words. Thank you! Melannie (with 2 n’s…)
I am one of many – grateful that you said “Yes,” to Sr. Susan’s suggestion. (Bless her for that wise inspiration of suggesting it to you!).
Your blogs are so amazing in that you come up with such wonderful and diverse topics, which only make clearer God’s presence everywhere. I loved the recent one on DNA.
I met you during the retreat at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati a number of years ago. That was another graced time and I thank God for your ministry.
So Happy 14th Anniversary! Now go for the Silver!
Pat, I have fond memories of giving a retreat at the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati… Your wish: “Go for the silver” took me aback… Maybe one of my current younger readers will have to carry on once I’m gone… I’ll past the torch–or the pencil… or the laptop to him or her… Thanks for writing! Melannie
Dear Melannie,
Congratulations on your anniversary!! I feel very lucky that I discovered it!!
I could relate to some of answers you gave to people about writing your blog. I worked for a small locally owned daily newspaper for 14 years and had a column in which I could write about almost anything. I wrote about family, my cat, community happenings, sad things and very happy things. I enjoyed it soooo much. I never had to struggle to find a topic – they always seemed to “be there” when my day to write came around. Blogs didn’t exist when I started writing and I’ve never been interested in starting one but I surely enjoy yours and allyour topics and music and videos. Thank you for your wisdom through the years. I’ve read your blog for about 3 years now, since I discovered it. Blessings to you, Sister.. and many more weeks of Sunflower Seeds for us all.
Dear Melannie, Congratulations on your Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your joy with us, and thank you for your blog each week. I always appreciate it and the songs you choose at the end. Today’s is particular meaningful. I haven’t heard it in awhile. May God continue to inspire and bless you. (I’m the one from Rhode Island.)