IN THE GOLDEN HOUR before sunset on the last day of July, I grabbed my 35 mm Canon camera and headed with Randy to a field of sunflowers on Faribault’s east side. The 5-acre site, just off Division Street East behind Pleasant View Estates, is not an agri-tourism draw, but rather a place of peace, beauty and solace. A place to remember, to grieve.
The nonprofit Infants Remembered in Silence created this flower-filled field with the help of donated land, volunteer planting, caretaking and more. IRIS, as the local organization is known, aims to support parents, family, friends, and professionals following the loss of a child in early pregnancy, from stillbirth, and other infant and early childhood deaths, no matter the cause.
Walking the mowed paths curving through the hilly land proved emotional and moving for me. While I have not lost an infant or child (I nearly miscarried with my second pregnancy), my husband has lost siblings to stillbirth and miscarriage as have others in my circle. Most recently, my niece delivered her third son way too early in pregnancy for baby Hunter to survive. It was heartbreaking for Lindsey and Brent, their parents and those of us who love them. Likewise, 42 years ago my Uncle John and Aunt Sue grieved the death of their stillborn son, Luke. I thought of Luke and Hunter and baby Cheyenne, born too early to friends Bill and Geri decades ago. There’s much loss represented in the IRIS Sunflower Garden.
I will share more in a future post. More photos and observations and thoughts. Because I am dealing with sensory overload issues that leave me symptomatic and not feeling at all well if I’m on a screen for too long, I have to wait until I’m having a good day, good enough to visually tolerate additional photo processing and writing a longer post. It is the reason I am blogging only minimally. I am focusing on my health.
But today I needed to alert you to the IRIS Sunflower Garden before the blooms are dried, the field only a memory of the beautiful space it was while in full, glorious bloom 11 days ago.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
This is so powerful, so meaningful to me and to so many others, thank you, thank you, thank you! And thank you to creation where these healing plants/places come from.
As someone who’s lost a daughter, you fully understand the value of a place to grieve. And this is a beautiful spot to grieve and connect with the beauty of creation.
Thank you for making the effort to let people know about this special place, while it is still as pretty as your photos reveal.
You’re welcome, Bernadette. I stopped at the garden several days ago and the sunflowers were not looking that great anymore. Even so, it’s still a beautiful spot and the flowers are still enjoyable.
this is an incredibly beautiful way to remember these children lost too soon and never forgotten. what a lovely reminder of their beauty and fragility. I lost my nephew when he was just 5, and my middle daughter lost twin sons who arrived way too early. all beautiful souls, forever with all of our hearts.
I’m sorry for your personal losses. I know your young nephew was deeply loved as were your twin grandsons. And, yes, they are always held within your hearts.
❤
What a beautiful idea. I love sunflowers, though we don’t see them very often where I am in BC. Building a communal garden for loss like this is wonderfully kind.
I’m sorry you’re unwell. I hope the good days are back soon 💝
The sunflower garden is sure to become an IRIS tradition. It was well-received by the community.
Thank you for your concern about me. I’m working hard to manage what I have. But the body doesn’t always cooperate. Neurological issues are tough. I can look perfectly fine, but I’m not.
What a beautiful place this is . ❤️
You would love this sunflower field and everything it encompasses. If only you were here, we could walk it together. I miss you. 🙂
What a wonderful tribute they have created.
It was. The sunflower field is well past its peaked with the garden now closed. But next year…
Yes, I love that sunflower field and everything it represents. And yes, if I were there, I would walk it with you. What a beautiful spot… and a peaceful, thoughtful purpose!
Everything about this Sunflower Garden was wonderful. Until next year…
This is amazing. What a lovely tribute. I’m sorry to have missed it. I assume it will be blooming again next year?
Yes, IRIS plans to have a sunflower garden again next summer. It was much appreciated by many.