I am grateful today for the stores that donate beautiful bouquets!

When I went to the store, there were five red shopping carts, two small boxes and the black container that you see sitting on the top of my car. Flowers waiting for me. I stood there looking at all of the flowers and wondered how I would ever fit them in my car. A lady about my age walked by and asked if I needed help. Another person inquired if I bought all of the flowers for a funeral. Phyllis handed me the flowers and somehow by the grace of God, they all fit.

The Happy Flower Day Project is dedicated with love, admiration and awe to all of the people whom I have met while delivering flowers to hospitals, nursing homes, halfway houses, churches, shelters and even people waiting at bus stops and train stations along the way. I would like to extend my boundless gratitude to stores that generously donate flowers. And to the thousands of sweet senior citizens who shared stories, lovely smiles and appreciation as I spontaneously shared bouquets of flowers with them. Thank you for allowing me to become “The Flower Lady.” Wishing love, peace and flowering joy to the whole world!

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My faithful volunteers for The Happy Flower Day Project – My mother, our friend Bob Goodwin, and Baby Bridget

Bob, age 91. (2014) R.I.P.

Bob, age 91. (2014) R.I.P.

Even brought my dog “Eddie” along a few times!

Even brought my dog “Eddie” along a few times!

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Baby Bridget and Granny love to visit seniors. So much fun for the residents to have a baby and a bouquet to hold!

Baby Bridget and Granny love to visit seniors. So much fun for the residents to have a baby and a bouquet to hold!

Baby Bridget needed a break from “flowering with Granny” so we took time for a nap on the grass of a church lawn. Flowers resting next to Bridget. (2015)

Baby Bridget needed a break from “flowering with Granny” so we took time for a nap on the grass of a church lawn. Flowers resting next to Bridget. (2015)

Bridget patiently resting in her stroller as Granny prepares the flowers to take to a nursing home in Germantown.

Bridget patiently resting in her stroller as Granny prepares the flowers to take to a nursing home in Germantown.

R.I.P. My mother, Claire Mohan enjoyed helping me bring flowery joy to nursing home residents. (2014)

R.I.P. My mother, Claire Mohan enjoyed helping me bring flowery joy to nursing home residents. (2014)

Start your morning with beautiful flowers! Happy Flower Day.

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Happy Flower Day! The Healing Power of Flowers for the Giver and the Receiver!

Why do I visit nursing homes? I guess I have discovered my inner-flower guru. Starting my morning with beautiful flowers is a guaranteed formula to experience inner peace. Oh, how I love the flowering life. You can make your life flowery, too. From coast to coast, no matter where you live in the United States, gifting flowers to nursing home residents doesn’t cost a penny. And when you give somebody flowers, you get something priceless in return! An extra good feeling that lasts all day long. And the recipient feels that happy feeling all day long too!

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Fresh flowers to the senior living communities

I love taking the flowers to the nursing homes. Each morning, I go to the store and usually pick up about four dozen bouquets. Today was the 10th day – total number of bouquets delivered thus far is 456!

Today:
Would you like some flowers?

Oh, I don’t have any money to buy flowers.

They are free. Everybody gets a bouquet!

You are giving me flowers? Do men get flowers too? That’s great because my wife is coming to visit me in ten minutes and I can surprise her with the tulips which are her favorite kind of flowers!

You leave home empty-handed and come home filled with happiness after “flowering.”

Today, my friend Annabella helped me to surprise people with free bouquets of fresh flowers. We visited a senior center and a McDonald’s restaurant. And then I went on to pass flowers out to the people coming out of a 7-Eleven convenience store.

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I never know where the flowers will end up. I pick them up at a grocery store,  say a quick prayer for guidance as to who needs their day brightened. I just end up somewhere. Like on Saturday, when I met this young man outside of a convenience store. Surprise bouquets for forty people.

 

The Philadelphia Inquirer article

The Philadelphia Inquirer article about The Happy Flower Day Project was featured in December, 2015. The link is no longer active on their site. The feature story was written by Kristin Holmes. We visited a senior center in Norristown, passed flowers out at a  fast-food restaurant,  and  walked up and down Marshall Street passing out flowers to whomever walked by. Picture is of me picking up  the bounty of flowers at a grocery store.

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This little note meant a lot to me – received it yesterday

Dear Patricia,

I just want to thank you for all of the beautiful bouquets that you gave us. It was so nice of you to get them, fix them up and bring them to each one of us. Also I heard that you bring them to shut-ins too. The flowers bring a lot of joy and happiness. I had the bouquet that you gave me for a whole week. Thanks so much. You are certainly doing God’s work bringing joy and beauty to all of us. Keep up the good work that you are doing to make others happy. God bless you. Love and Prayers, Eleanor

The little note meant a lot to me. The smiles mean a lot to me. I am so grateful to Trader Joe’s for donating them to me.

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People visiting in the hospital love free flowers too!

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I had lot of white and purple orchid plants in nice clay pots. Gave them to the receptionist at the hospital entrance desk. She placed them on the counter, so nicely displayed. I went upstairs to leave bouquets at the nurses station. Two big bags that were carried up by a smiling security guard. He had picked red and yellow roses to take home to his  wife. When we returned to the lobby, they were all gone. Wow, that made me so happy!

No More Cards Needed for Aunt Anne’s Sunshine Club!

I want to thank the hundreds of people who took the time to send cards to my Aunt Anne in the nursing home. She read every one and we shared them with the other residents. People in their beds. People sitting in wheelchairs all got bouquets of flowers and greeting cards. We posted them on bulletin boards and taped them to closets. Mission accomplished. She is doing much better. No more cards needed at this time. The Happy Flower Day Project is still going strong!

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And some of the recipients of the beautiful bouquets donated to me by Trader Joe’s!

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The Case of the Stolen Flowers – “The Who Did It” Mystery

Baby Bridget, my little flowering partner, needed a nap. No flowers to deliver due to stolen snapdragons, tulips, roses and the like. Maybe we both needed a break but the poor ladies were terribly disappointed. I did have a big white bag left over from yesterday but after looking at them decided they were not up to the “quality control” that the Flower Lady and her baby flower partner expect. Had to throw them away.

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Friday and Monday, I was quite disappointed. I had groups of seniors awaiting the arrival of the bountiful bouquets – I go to those two nursing homes once a month. They know when the Flower Lady is coming and they wait excitedly for me to come in laden with the beauty of flowers and the wonderful fragrance. I called Trader Joe’s to confirm and they said the flowers were in the cart in the back of the store waiting for me. Sadly, before I got there on both days, someone else came by and snatched them.

The flowers found their way – here and there! Where needed.

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Four bouquets went to a friend who is grieving the loss of a long-time love. Just placed them at her front door. Sent her a text, “John asked me to bring them to you from Heaven.” Then to a lady who is estranged from her adult daughter and only grandchild. She was feeling blue because the 2 year old does not even know her. To an elderly couple leaving the Dollar Store. “Oh my, what are these for?” I just gave her a hug and said, “Just because……” To an elderly grandmother with her two great grandsons – three bouquets for her kitchen table. Oh, and then back into the Dollar Store to give one to the young  woman at the cash register. And the other 40 beautiful bouquets – taking them to the senior dance at the Polish Home tonight. All in a day’s work! Love that work………

I am so grateful for kind people – helping Auntie Anne

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Auntie Anne is living in a nursing home out of state  and does not have many visitors. I posted a request on FB a month ago for letters and cards to brighten her days…..two letters arrived today. Both were from “strangers” to me and they did not know Aunt Anne either. Just took the time to pen a message on pretty cards and sent them to me to bring to Aunt Anne. She loved them! I called the project The Auntie Anne Sunshine Club!

Good Day Aunt Anne,

Well the month of July is halfway over already. Parades, ice cream and sunshine all make this my favorite time of the year. I thought I would send you a picture of my grandaughter on her first birthday. She makes me smile and I hope she makes you smile too. Her name is NcKenzie.

Sincerely,

Kathy

And the second greeting card said:

Dear Aunt Anne,

I just wanted to drop you a line and say hello. I hope this note finds you well and enjoying your day. I live in PA, outside of Philadelphia and we are currently experiencing heat/humidity and temps near 90 degrees.  I hope it is cooler in your locale. The only time I appreciate the heat is when I am near the ocean!! Please know that you are thought of and are in my prayers.

Isn’t this amazing? People who saw my request for little random acts of kindness to cheer up a lonely lady. Thank you, everybody!