The Pilgrimage and the Pound of Pecans
It started six years ago. A simple phone call. "Do you deliver?" If you know me well, you probably know that 99% of the time my answer is "Nope. I'm a wedding florist, i don't do deliveries." But that December day, something made me say yes. Perhaps it was the sadness in the customer's voice. "I live out of state and I can't find any florist who will deliver flowers to my son's grave in Colorado." I have no idea why i said yes, but i did. I think it was just meant to be.
A few days after the phone call, a package arrived from the customer. inside, i found payment and two items to attach to the flowers, a small angel statue and a letter addressed to the customer's son. "my beloved son Andrew." my heart melted.
So on the anniversary of Andrew's death, i drive 45 minutes to make my delivery. its cold. 20 degrees cold and there were 6 inches of fresh, freezing snow blanketing the entire cemetery. the headstones were flat, and i see nothing but snow. fresh, freezing cold snow. finding that grave was like a needle in a haystack. but after 3 trips to the cemetery office, a scribbly hand drawn map from the receptionist, frozen fingers and toes and a prayer whispered up to the heavens,(along with a few choice words,) i found the grave. mission accomplished.
the following december, i received the same phone call, the same package with payment, an angel, and the same heart-wrenching-grieving mother letter and a bag of pecans. homegrown. texas pecans from the customer's tree. for me. the pecans were for me. my heart was mush.
fast forward to today. today was my 12th delivery to Andrew's grave. i deliver flowers on his birthday and on the anniversary of his death. it has become my pilgrimage. today i honor Andrew and his grieving Mother. i can never ease this mother's pain, but i can be her messenger and i can deliver her letters of love attached to those beautiful bouquets of flowers.
Being a florist is not just about arranging pretty flowers in a vase, its about celebrating the circle of life. - Sarah
posted by sarah at
11:29 PM
7 Comments:
Sarah beautiful story. Perseverance, courage, kindness and love beautiful traits to possess. Which you certainly do!!! I remember you showing me your college graphic design portfolio with that special stationary. You have come a long way baby!!! Way to go!!!
Sarah,
Your kindness and extra care have completely overwhelmed our family.
We have never met a complete stranger, with such compassion.
We love the story (blog). I have printed, and put with copies of all your photos
of our son's grave and your beautiful floral arrangements all these many years.
You have taken the place of our family at our son's grave. You have stood in our place, all these many years, in all weather and conditions.
True dedication, to someone you never met. But your caring spirit made all possible.
He has NO ONE in Colorado. He has
no one but me (his old Mother) , and his brother Brent.
His name is Timothy J. Miller. He is loved, and missed, and never a day passing without thoughts of him. He was brilliant, talented, and gone way too early.
Thank you again for all the years of your devotion. You are "one in a million" .
Sarah,
Your kindness and extra care have completely overwhelmed our family.
We have never met a complete stranger, with such compassion.
We love the story (blog). I have printed, and put with copies of all your photos
of our son's grave and your beautiful floral arrangements all these many years.
You have taken the place of our family at our son's grave. You have stood in our place, all these many years, in all weather and conditions.
True dedication, to someone you never met. But your caring spirit made all possible.
He has NO ONE in Colorado. He has
no one but me (his old Mother) , and his brother Brent.
His name is Timothy J. Miller. He is loved, and missed, and never a day passing without thoughts of him. He was brilliant, talented, and gone way too early.
Thank you again for all the years of your devotion. You are "one in a million" .
Sarah,
Your kindness and extra care have completely overwhelmed our family.
We have never met a complete stranger, with such compassion.
We love the story (blog). I have printed, and put with copies of all your photos
of our son's grave and your beautiful floral arrangements all these many years.
You have taken the place of our family at our son's grave. You have stood in our place, all these many years, in all weather and conditions.
True dedication, to someone you never met. But your caring spirit made all possible.
He has NO ONE in Colorado. He has
no one but me (his old Mother) , and his brother Brent.
His name is Timothy J. Miller. He is loved, and missed, and never a day passing without thoughts of him. He was brilliant, talented, and gone way too early.
Thank you again for all the years of your devotion. You are "one in a million" .
I AM the Texas Greiving Mother!
Sarah, Painted Primrose, has taken care of my son for over nine years.
Complete stranger.
Such a beautiful person, inside and outside.
We are blessed to know such a sweet, kind, person!
God put HER (Sarah) in our world. I had no one else.
A Mother destroyed by son's death.
But Sarah has been there for nine years, standing in my place.
Complete stranger.
God bless@
This is such a touching story Sarah. You put your heart into everything you do.
Sarah , you take special care of each person placed in your path ... How blessed this momma has been a part of who you are . An angel on earth who brings joy & comfort peace & beauty in the moments of life .
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