I wasn’t going to go into the upscale retirement community but something told me not to just drive past. Everyone was in the dining room. I had 28 bouquets. One lady said, “I will let you in on a little secret. Today’s my birthday.”

The waiter came over and said, “Can you give one to Annie? She has been crying all morning. She has a lot going on in her life. “Where are you from?” She replied, “I am from Armenia.” Her face brightened and we talked about happy things.

Another lady took the bouquet and told me that she and her husband had played the harmonica all over the world, especially loved the tours that they did in Ireland. She reached into her pocketbook and pulled out lots of photos – and oh, what a glamorous entertainer she was. She looked like a movie star.

One lady returned her bouquet to me. “I am afraid that the flowers might have ants. Here, give it to someone else.”

I left the facility with only one bouquet. I went to another place where I was doing a program which I call PRAYERS TO WARM YOUR HEART. I did not have enough flowers for the 20 people in attendance but I carried the one “ant” bouquet in with me.

A devoted family was there to celebrate their mother’s 97th birthday. Lots of balloons, a gigantic decorated cake and love to share with everybody. The family was taking lots of photos and they were very attentive to all of the residents. I asked the daughter if I could give her mother my single bouquet. She beamed with happiness. “Why of course. My mother is in hospice now.” The bouquet was not meant for the “ant lady” – it was meant to go to the sweet lady who was celebrating her final birthday with her family.