Random Act of Flowers - Might Other People Enjoy Receiving Flowers Out of the Blue?

I cannot tell I lie. I was never a "flower-child."endeavour once a week, and I approached all the
While my slightly older peers were singing "Givearea nursing homes and residences to see if they
peace a chance...", I was at Bethel Chapel Younghad residents who weren't being visiting regularly,
Peoples singing "Put your hand in the hand of theand who might enjoy receiving flowers. And I
Man who stilled the waters..." I'm not unhappysent out a request to area churches and
about this because for me peace and flowersnon-profits, Habitat for Humanity and the
never went out of style.Salvation Army to see if they would consider
I grew up in a flower-loving household - mydonating small vases.
grandfather "wintered" his geraniums and theyThis is how it happened that my Ministry partner
became a playground for my paper cutoutfrom All Peoples United Church, Irja Coe, and I go
mermaids. My father grew a variety of flowersout every Thursday and deliver 24 to 36 vases
and his only request to my mother was that sheof flower to one of the seven residences on our
not go near them. He had a green thumb; sheroster. Not only flowers, but a card, a gentle
had a salt thumb. It seemed like when she walkedtouch, and words of encouragement and
too close to anything blossoming, it wilted.affection. For the folks not on our list who look
I inherited my mother's flare with flowers - notlongingly at the flowers or for folks who have
for lack of trying. When I tried to winterdementia or are mentally challenged, we make
geraniums, they turned yellow and perished. Isure to have extra flowers and a basket of clean,
asked the local greenhouse person for the mostadorable small stuffed toys to share.
resilient garden plants I could buy, and once IWe also distribute 50 copies of "Chaplaincy
planted them, they were never seen again.Cheer", a bi-monthly newsletter, to every
It was only when my oldest daughter, Anna, sentresidence that permits us to visit. It has both
me an unexpected bouquet of flowers that Iuplifting and humorous stories in it. Soon we will be
cottoned on to the fact that a person doesn'tadding a pet therapy dog, aptly named Mercy,
have to grow flowers in order to have and enjoyand an additional visitor or two who will be able to
flowers. And that's how "Random Act of Flowers"spend additional time with residents who welcome
began. An idea lodged in my head, coupled withan opportunity to have a longer conversation.
my volunteerism for Chaplaincy to Long TermIrja and I thank God daily for the residents and
Care Facilities - "Might other people enjoystaff at area nursing homes and residences, and
receiving flowers out of the blue for no otherfor the people who donate the flowers, vases,
reason than that they are cherished?"and "plushies." When we are with those who are
I approached an area Flower Shop to see if theyclosest to God, we truly receive the peace which
might be willing to donate flowers to such anpasseth all understanding.