The Flower Girl

My birthday is almost two months gone. It’s time to shift the focus of my giving project to storytelling. It’s time to share with you the wonderful and creative acts of kindness, the worthy and diverse charitable organizations, the ways in which some made their $60 go further, and the many touching moments of connection between people.

I recently submitted an essay about this project for publication in a local magazine and a friend with oodles of editing experience reviewed my draft. She summed it up nicely — this is a project about people loving people. So without further ado, I present you with the story of the flower girl.

Each of us has something that softens the rough edges of life and brightens our day. Birds and butterflies and moments of connection are a few of mine. For my cousin, who is in the early years of her career and living in San Francisco, it’s flowers. She loves color, the flower mart, and making bouquets for herself and friends. A dream of hers is to own a flower shop. I would not have known this about her if not for this project.

Needless to say, she knew right away how to use her $60. One Sunday she wandered through the flower mart looking for bright, cheerful colors and interesting textures to compliment the pink roses she’d selected; her plan was to create six bouquets and give them away.

The first recipient was a regular at a bar that she often visits on her street. He offered to buy her a drink in return. I did not ask if she accepted his offer, but perhaps she did.

Two bouquets were given to a couple coming into the bar. They were delighted and made plans to surprise a friend they were meeting with the second bouquet.

Two best friends were walking in the neighborhood when my cousin approached them. How would you feel if a stranger approached you on the street with a gift? Even with beautiful flowers, my first reaction would be one of suspicion and even caution. I’d be wondering, what did this person want? Which tells me how jaded even I have become. But these friends were excited and curious and invited my cousin to share the story behind the flowers. They wished me Happy Birthday in return.

The final bouquet also went to a stranger on her street, a young father pushing his baby in a stroller. “My wife is going to love these,” he said. Oh to be a fly on the wall when he gives them to her. A gift that lifts the spirits of not only him, but the person he shares it with. Perhaps she is a working mother who is tired and really needs to know she’s appreciated.

My cousin’s bouquets generated big smiles and brought her great joy and reminded her that little acts of kindness make a big difference.

Flowers are like friends, they bring color to your world.
~ Unknown