To The Ass Who Cut Down my Parent’s Sunflowers

The sunflowers grew tall, slightly bending to the wind that blew across the yard. Five majestic plants, radiating back the warmth they collected from the afternoon sun. They were the largest sunflowers I have ever seen, huge seed pods surrounded by the most beautiful golden petals.

Of course those sunflowers shone brighter than most. The sunflowers had been planted by my parents, in a tribute to my late wife, Ivana. A beautiful way to remember her.

Sunflowers were Ivana’s favorite plant. She loved how they were very happy flowers. They always made her smile.

Planted with love and tended with care

When I would drive up to my parent’s house, they could be seen, reaching high to the sun. They made me smile. A strange calming effect. I missed Ivana every day, but I was going to be okay. A reassurance.

The sunflowers were in view of the front porch. Planted against a backdrop of white painted lattice, they were a perfect picture as my parents relaxed in the shade. It never occurred to me to take an actual picture of them, we just liked to sit and enjoy their presence.

That garden spoke volumes to me about the kind of parents I have, and how lucky I am to call them my mom and dad. A garden of love to remember their daughter-in-law.

Then my parents drove down to Toronto for a Bluejays weekend. Big fans, they had been gone for a couple of days and seen two games. When they returned home, they noticed that the sunflowers were gone. Their first thought was that animals had done it for the seeds.

When my dad took a closer look, he discovered that the stalks had been cut by a sharp knife, clean and straight. Certainly not the work of a hungry animal. It was probably obvious right away, but that’s how my parents are. They couldn’t imagine that a person would do that. The truth hurt them.

So to the person who stole the sunflowers, I ask you: Why? What gave you the right? Why did you feel it was okay to trespass on my parent’s property? Why did you feel it was okay to cut the heads off something so meaningful?

What makes you so fucking special that you think you deserved those beautiful, special sunflowers?

Because guess what? You don’t deserve shit.

You are lucky we don’t know who you are. When my parents called and told me about the sunflowers, I drove up and had a look. We all had tears in our eyes as my dad showed me the clean cuts. I had tears of anger. I was pissed. In the moment, I’d have happily faced an assault charge to exact revenge for my wife. Because that’s who you cut down.

Did you plan this? Did you wait until my parents were gone, and show up with a bag and a knife? Did you know the story behind those sunflowers? Did you do it anyway? Because then you are garbage. A disgusting human.

Are you a neighbour?

My parent’s neighbours all knew of the sunflowers. My mom and dad were proud of how big and beautiful they had grown, and showed them off to any and all visitors.

When asked, the neighbours did not see anything. The houses are set back from the road, and there aren’t many. They would have noticed if you were carrying those huge seed pods down their quiet street. And they would have said something to you, because they all knew how important those sunflowers were.

You came prepared. A pathetic petty thief. I wonder if you knew that the retired Ontario Provincial Police detective across the street had very recently moved away? A good friend of my parents, he would have had you charged on the spot if he caught you.

Are you a neighbour? Is that how you knew that people were away? Did you see the sunflowers walking your dog, and decided to return and steal them? The street is a quiet crescent. We believe it was someone who either lived on the street or was visiting someone who lived on the street.

You can’t imagine the love that went into tending that garden. This summer, my parents are going to grow more sunflowers. They will tend that garden with more love than you have ever known.

And you know what else you took? My parent’s sense of security, and whatever faith they had left in humanity. They are a little more jaded now. They have installed a camera on their property, which captures that garden. My parents never thought of needing a security camera before. Washago, Ontario was not that kind of place. Until you.

Just another reason to hate you even more, you…No. No more names. I don’t believe in hell, but if there is one, it’s for people like you.

I hope you choked on the seeds.

Thank you for reading.