Mom would always say this: “tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are”.
Recently one of our lovely GEMs got in touch when she saw that I was offering flower subscriptions- she wanted to give her friend a surprise bouquet for her birthday ( I do custom bouquets for pick up as well). She lives in Calgary Alberta (so not near here)…
We arranged two weeks ahead that I would have her friend’s wrapped bouquet at the garden gate at 1pm on the day.
The day came and I forgot to put it out…when I realized I contacted her saying how sorry I was and if her friend did arrive to this surprise location to open the garden gate to an empty shelf—AAHH my apologies I would deliver it to her wherever she lived that afternoon— I couldn’t believe I had lost track of time like that.
Turns out she hadn’t had a chance to send her friend my address…arrangements were made and the birthday girl would be there at 5pm to pick up her surprise bouquet.
The friend in Calgary is a very thoughtful person – it was a kind gift.
Who doesn’t love a surprise like this if you love flowers as she knew her friend here did…but here’s where I thought about my mom’s quote.
This is what was left under the empty vase of water….
I thought to myself— no wonder they are friends! Both are so kind and thoughtful in the world.
What a wonderful thing I got to be a part of.
I was also sent a picture of the bouquet in situ (I always love those ones!) with a beautiful note about how she loves the flowers.
The reason I had lost track of time? My friend was consoling me after a tough week of missing Ilse ( it was the 5th anniversary of her death that week and I couldn’t quite believe that it had been 5 years). Still can’t.
Earlier in the week, on the anniversary, I looked at my phone before I went to bed- there was a lovely text with a photo from one of Ilse’s closest friends- she and their other school friends had met at the beach (near where my Mom and Dad lived) to do their traditional running into the water and then sit on the beach and drink guyaki.
Ilse always ran into the water leading and encouraging her friends, no matter how cold, and it was always a metaphor for how she enjoyed life— heading in and living it fully.
She was also the rep for this drink at Queen’s university – it’s made with Yerba Mate- it’s not an alcohol drink- it’s got lots of caffeine and the company is super environmental and cool.
Another friend sent a picture of a hike in the mountains she had gone on after work where she feels very close to Ilse.
Even when Ilse is no longer here, her friends carry the love that they hold for each other- and are so kind to include me by way of pictures, notes, texts and DM’s. I consider that such a privilege.
I was listening to a podcast when I was driving out to Bilston Creek farm last week for their Lavender Festival where my cyanotypes had a table in the little market.
Turns out one of the biggest keys, according to the research, to living a healthy life is about having good relationships.
It’s more important than sleep and drinking rosé ( ok I mean, not drinking rosé)…
Here’s to friendship—
Cheers!
–I wish you peace on your path,
Lise-Lotte