This morning when I was looking at a face book page from a friend that is a local florist in Reidland telling of a program to send flowers for special occasions on a monthly order, I was reminded of a memory I had encountered in my work with the elderly.

I remember when I was working in my last long-term care facility, I had a lady that was so loved by her daughter that every month like clock-work she would receive the most beautiful bouquet of lovely fresh flowers, her daughter lived out of town and wanted her mom to know how much she was loved for no special reason but for the love she had always shown to her, her siblings and her extended family.

Mrs. D, was such a sweet lady who had not been a socialite in her life time but a Christian lady that loved the lord and her family, she would always have a smile and wanted everyone to know how she felt about them. Every month when those flowers would arrive, she would beam for days and would want to show them to everyone, several times she wanted me to use them as a special table decoration for the activity I was planning for that week.

A local florist had this standing order from her daughter, rain or shine those flowers were delivered on time. We were all so jealous and would tell Mrs. D, we sure hoped someone would love us that much so we would receive flowers. Ladies love getting flowers it always brings joy and lots of smiles to a life that might have a difficult sickness with long term effects and the beautiful flowers would bring a period of joy to a moment of sadness or pain.

I was also reminded of a story I heard from a friend about her husband, who sent her flowers for every special occasion even, when there were no special occasions. Beautiful red roses were her favorite. He became very ill and he realized he would not live long and who would send his beautiful love roses for her to enjoy. He went to the florist and made an arrangement that when he passed, she would receive a dozen red roses every occasion and even some occasions for no reason. For 1 yr. those roses were

sent always with a note from him, that he loved her and missed her more than she would ever now and he was always with her. This act of love carried her through a year of unbearable pain and sorrow, knowing her love, loved her so much he did not forget what had made her feel so special.

I will never forget those months and several years I witnessed this act of love. Most florist will provide such a service check it out and provide someone a gift of exceptional love that will make your love one smile.