Two weeks ago, I sent this little article to the Chestnut Hill Local newspaper, hoping that they might tell Bob’s story. Last week, after he had passed away, the editor called me to say that they were going to run the piece on July 31st. I told Len that Bob had died peacefully. He seemed to tear up. So as a tribute to Bob (and to my dear mother), I wanted to post about these two wonderful people who inspired me…….and their memories always will. Thank you, Mom and Bob!
Flowering on a Sunday night warms my heart!
The man in the picture below is my flowering buddy. Rest in peace, Bob.
The rest of the pictures are of people that I met tonight at an assisted living facility. Surprised by a flower delivery to Schwenksville.
A young actress in Hollywood wearing my Team of Angels pin!
I just received a text from my daughter whose best friend is an actress in Hollywood. She was auditioning for a part on the “Young and the Restless.” She has been on shows like that before. A local young woman from this area.
“Hey, Kris. I am backstage at the Young and the Restless right now wearing your mom’s Team of Angels pin for good luck. Can you let your mom know that I really appreciate her giving it to me back when I first met you in 2001?
Bob passed away – my flowering partner on many mornings. Nine-one years young!
Bob Goodwin passed away. He turned 91 on Wednesday and died shortly after. He was a special man. He was my flowering partner on many mornings. He played the harmonica to announce that we were coming in with the flowers. And he always wore his Navy cap – a great conversation starter. He made the world a wonderful place for so many people. He was the co-founder of Circle of Miracles. Every Sunday, he read a “spiritual seed” which was a story that he heard or found somewhere that would inspire the congregation. Rest in peace, dear Bob.
A little about Bob:
https://storiesforseniors.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/bob-and-his-wonderful-hearts-away-invention-brilliant-and-loving-so-touching/
I think women serving time and in recovery houses could use a bouquet of fresh flowers
could use a bouquet of fresh flowers
Lots of people get detoured in their lives. Maybe a small blessing of flowers will nourish a sagging spirit or in some way offer hope on the road to recovery – hope and a glimmer of light for a better future to a woman in a correctional facility or half-way house. I sent this letter to some people who work in the social services field.
I wonder what will happen. Will anyone contact me? Maybe this small seed of hope can mark a turning point for someone.
I guess that I feel that there but go the grace of God go I.
I remember hearing a radio interview with a therapist and a person who did a crime…..that deserved serving time.
The psychologist said, “I never say to an inmate…..WHY DID YOU DO THAT?
Instead I say, “WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU AS A CHILD?”
Interesting, huh?
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Dear Friends of Pro-Act,
I have been a volunteer for Pro-Act as a facilitator at the Recovery House in New Britain as well as in the main office in Doylestown. I wanted to share a little about the Happy Flower Day project and about my desire to bring a beautiful bouquet to the women that you are assisting to get their lives back on track.
Here is an article that was in the Chestnut Hill Local newspaper last week. Trader Joe’s donates several hundred bouquets a week for me to take “random acts of flowering.” Please let me know if you would like me to bring flowers to the women/staff in your program. I look forward to sharing ideas with you. Thank you.
Trisha Gallagher
Cell: 267 939 0365
Article in the Chestnut Hill Local this week – Flower Project
http://chestnuthilllocal.com/blog/2014/07/18/moved-start-husbands-suicide-attempt-flower-lady-brings-beauty-need/
Just heard from another Flower Lady in Ohio
Greetings, Trisha!
To the “Flower Lady” of Pennsylvania from the “Flower Lady” of Ohio. My daughter just moved to the Germantown area of Pennsylvania. Her first day was July 17th. She read the article about you in the Chestnut Hill Local and sent it to me. I hope you have time to meet with me someday when I visit the area. I would love to exchange ideas about how I can expand the flower projects. What a joy it is! Women and men at my church have helped arranged the flowers and helped with distributing at nursing homes, our local senior center and local food bank. I had always hoped to involve some of the people we serve with flowers with the flower projects – a several things happened. At the food bank, one of the clients offered a massive number of peonies from his yard to give to others, another planted flowers in front of the food bank and a group of ladies in the assisted living part of a local nursing home volunteer to take over the flower project in their community – I just drop the flowers off and they take over and spread the love. There are so many stories. What I do is just small compared to your utter devotion. I would so appreciate meeting with you one day. Just wanted to say “Hello” and thank you for all your amazing devotion to others. You are an inspiration.
It is just fun every day. Every day is a blessing for me to take flowers to strangers!
Start your day with a smile or two or three or four……..can’t frown with flowers in hand!
Love delivering flowers!
Blooming smiles with flowers!
My new address
Hi Friends and Family,
My new address is Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490. I am living in Limerick for the time being. I have had this post office box since 1989 for business purposes. I was living there at the time and had just started writing books. Doubleday published my first book, Start Your Own-At Home Child Care Business” and they suggested that the readers correspond with me via a PO Box. So I have been paying “rent” on that box for all of these years…….and for all of the moves that I have made. My phone number is the same. 267 939 0365.
Patricia, I don’t actually know where I first came across your Team of Angels.
I don’t know where I first came across your Team of Angels pin. I live in Iselin, NJ. I still have the pin attached to the bookmark. I have had it since about 2001. I want to make sure that the blessings are still attached to it. I was wondering if you could send a prayer to me that will travel on the wings of the angels that you still have – all the way here to me in New Jersey. In the meantime, I want to thank you and the God we both serve. Can you tell me a little about your spiritual journey? I am so glad that our paths have crossed with the aid of the angels in both of our lives.
Marjorie
Tell others how they can start the same program in their neighborhoods. Lots of photos are on my site.
Dear Friends,
After passing out 18,612 bouquets of beautiful bouquets to strangers, there is something in my heart that is telling me that there is a new mission for me – to expand the Happy Flower Day project across the USA so lots of other people can do the same. Can you please share this link? Let’s see what happens if the media picks up the story and the project “gets legs” and grows! Thank you so much.
Patricia Gallagher
Cell: 267 939 0365
http://www.patriciausa.com
STORY IDEA:
It has been a year and a month since I began the Happy Flower Day project. The grand total is that Trader Joe’s, several locations in the Delaware Valley, have donated 18,612 bouquets that I have been honored to be able to take to people who needed a little cheer. From people on the street, to the sick in hospitals, to nursing homes, recovery houses, etc. I welcome interviews and speaking engagements to share some of the wonderful stories that happened when I began to “random act of flower” seven days a week, for 355 days this year. It was a life-changing experience for me. (I took 10 days off due to bad weather and vacation.)
Frequently Asked Questions:
How/when/where did you get started in this outreach? What was your inspiration? How did you go about setting things up? How did the project grow and change? Who helps you with the Happy Flower Day project? Do you have people who regularly volunteer to help? Do different people help at different times? •How have different recipients responded? Any story that particularly stands out? How can other people do the Happy Flower Day project in their community?
http://www.womanalive.co.uk/articles?articleaction=view&articleid=791
Thank you! I look forward to sharing this uplifting program with you. And to tell others how they can start the same program in their neighborhoods. Lots of photos are on my site.
Patricia Gallagher
Phila suburb
“I told her that I think I know the person who makes the Team of Angels.”
Dear Patricia,
I saw a check out clerk at Giant in Chalfont with one of your angel pins on. I told her I think I know the person who makes them. Then when I came home I found my pin and the info/ bookmark…and decided to reach out.
Prayerfully all is well with you and your family. I think about our class members often.
Take good care…and thanks so much for my team of angels. They have gotten me through a lot!
Blessings,
Laura
(My mom Beverly and I attended your class three years ago.)
This is the kind of email that makes me smile!
Hi Patricia,
My name is Katie, and I am a mom of 3 lovely children, ages 2, 4, & 6. I have
been looking for ways to teach my children about giving back to the community
and sharing their love with others. I read about your Happy Flower Day Project
in the Catholic Digest and was wondering if this is something that individuals
in other areas can help with.
We live in Carlsbad, CA and frequently shop at Trader Joe’s. Please let me know
if this is a possibility. I love the idea of sharing the joy of receiving a
bouquet with others, and this is something that may be manageable for me and
other friends of mine with small children to do.
May God bless you in your efforts!
~Katie
I am thinking and thinking and thinking……..
I am in transition with a burst of creative energy and happy feelings of excitement surging within about the next chapter of my life. I am also reflecting on the projects of the past years. The Flower Lady, The Stuffed Animal Lady, The Angel Pin Lady. I feel like the Wheel of Fortune wheel is spinning in my head and where it will stop nobody knows.
Here are the three thoughts that are in my mind. On June 23rd, my mother’s house will be sold. I might go to Puerto Rico for a month or to Quito, Ecuador or drive cross-country and maybe to Alaska. I am going to be 63 on July 31st. Only be gone for the month of July. My daughter is having the first grandchild. Lots of excitement for a baby shower in August and the new baby in September.
Just found this posting – when I was a mere 59 years old.
https://storiesforseniors.wordpress.com/how-you-can-help/
“Put on a happy face! ” Musical Video of Happy Flower Day Project
Thirty thousand letters received. And all read.
Contact: Patricia Gallagher -The Angel Pin Lady
http://www.teamofangels.com
Cell: 267 939 0365
Philadelphia suburb. May be available on short notice.
Story Idea:
How many angels dance on the head of a Team of Angels pin? Three. Just ask Patricia Gallagher, she offers hope!
The letters come to her in the mail. Thirty thousand of them. All of them in pain. Letters that could break your heart.
“My mom has to buy me a new wheelchair….”
“I am a senior with health problems….”
“I would like a lift…..”
Thirty thousand that she has read. They write to her because perhaps she is a stranger. Perhaps because they are alone. They need to tell her their sorrows. She reads them all. It is the mission of the “Send a Team of Angels to Help” movement that she began in 1998. People write asking for something small – a gold pin with three angels, a poem on a bookmark – but asking for something more. Comfort, hope and someone who cares.
Patricia Gallagher has been sending hope in the mail for over a decade. And passing out thousands of her pass-it-along Team of Angels to people in nursing homes and hospitals. And on the street.
Mrs. Gallagher
I just read about your Team of Angels. What a wonderful idea. I have a friend in Massachusetts that I met over the Internet. She is a lovely lady. She has three boys, triplets. They are now 8-years- old and are beautiful children. She is having a hard time because all three of these boys have Muscular Dystrophy. Their life expectancy is 11- years-old. My heart breaks for her every day. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain that she must be going through knowing that she is going to lose all three children. Would you please write a poem for this lady and be kind enough to forward a copy of the poem to me? If anyone in the world needs a Team of Angels, it‘s this lady.
Mrs. Gallagher,
My 31-year-old sister, Leslie, is mentally retarded and had a malignant brain tumor five years ago. Last week she was diagnosed with two new brain tumors, which are inoperable. The doctors have given her two months to live. My parents are crushed. She does not know her life will be ending soon. It would cause too much worry in her situation. The doctors have prescribed steroids to ease the headaches and say she should slip away in her sleep. In the meantime, my parents must live each day like nothing is wrong. I don‘t usually write to strangers nor do things like this, but I was touched by your desire to uplift people. My dad is retired from the Air Force so I am partial to people who do things for people overseas. I pray that your Team of Angels is a big success!
Patricia,
I am more than overwhelmed. I‘m very severely ill and very much terrified. I need something or someone to help me feel needed and wanted. I feel like a 5th wheel around my family. I have been on bed rest and without visitors for months.
Patricia says, “When you get these letters, you want to be more of a ministry than a business. That is why I have given them out for free. Occasionally, I have offered them for sale so that I could help with the expenses of doing the project. I made the angel pins initially to comfort myself. Then I started making them to give away. I’m not trying to make this any grander than it is. I just think when people give the pins or get the pins, they feel good. I think it is people showing friendship to other people – just caring.”
