Flowers have a powerful effect on people. I marvel that simply putting one blossom in a vase on my desk changes my outlook. I try to keep a flower or flowers on our breakfast table all the time. I became inspired to do this as Neal and I traveled around our beautiful country.
We are always drawn to the gardens and the flowers from those gardens that are placed inside our hotel room, or placed on the table where we dined. Bringing nature inside brightens the room. Is there anything more stunning than a large vase of flowers when the event is grand? Or more charming than a small nosegay of garden flowers. When summer has passed, I love having a beautiful bunch of greenery, fall leaves, or wonderful evergreens in place of blossoms.
I just finished writing a book about the special women in our lives, titled Bouquets of Love (pre-order now). In it, I recount that there is nothing more charming to a mother or grandmother than tiny little hands delivering a hand-picked bouquet of “flowers” from the yard —usually composed of dandelions and bluets. This most endearing gesture stays in your memory forever.
When I was a little girl, I wanted to have a florist deliver flowers to my Mom. I thought that was the grandest thing a woman could experience. I had managed to collect a pile of pennies totaling $3.30, and I would pay for the flowers. I called several florists who told me they simply could not deliver anything in my very limited price range. I was crushed. The last lady I called said yes, she would do it. I was elated. I gave her the information for delivery, put all my pennies into an envelope, sealed and stamped it, and took it to our mailbox. Done. My mom would be surprised the very next day. I could hardly wait to get home from school and see the flowers I had sent. And yes, it happened. The very next day, there they were—two beautiful red carnations just for my Mom. Looking back, I am sure that poor lady took a loss on my order. Did she sense the desires of my heart for making a moment special for my precious Mom?
Today, why not hand-deliver a single blossom or two, with a lovely note attached, to a dear friend? Gestures that we learned as a child still work today to change someone’s day. Oh if we could just remember the flood of emotion that a person feels when they are remembered. Everyone wants to feel needed and loved—and remembered.
Is there someone today to whom you need to express gratitude, or congratulations? Or is there someone who would love a simple remembrance? Pick a blossom or two and watch the change. It’s the simple things that make life special and create lasting memories that will live in the hearts of people forever.
