The Share Bouquet

When the last of my two children graduated from preschool we wanted to find a way to keep their teacher in our lives. Ms. Mary is such a living example of goodness for my children and everyone who comes in contact with her. Selfishly I wanted this role model to always continue to instill these amazing values within my children throughout the years beyond preschool. I pictured that someday my boys might knock on her front door for teenage advice. In the meantime I was thrilled with the smaller advice she gives them such as the true importance of a daily hug.

Back during the years when my boys where in Ms. Mary’s preschool we enjoyed celebrating what she called the Share Feast. Each child would bring one piece of fruit to school and would combine their piece with those of their classmates, thus making a huge fruit salad. The salad was an example of how one small thing from each of them could make something big and wonderful happen when they work together! This event being just one example of how Ms. Mary’s motto of being peaceful, sharing, caring, loving people was modeled on a regular basis.

So how would we celebrate Ms. Mary’s spirit and remain in contact with her at least once a year? My boys and I decided that we would dedicate one day out of the year as our “Celebrate Ms. Mary Day”. They chose February 4th as there are two letters in Ms. (February being the 2nd month) and four letters in Mary (the 4th day of the month). What an easy way for all to remember and the added bonus that it was during the month of Valentine’s Day.

In the true spirit of a share concept we decided to start the “Share Bouquet”. On the morning of February 4th each year my boys deliver a vase and one flower each to Ms. Mary. About a week prior we email a “Celebrate Ms. Mary” invitation to those we know that attended the school and request that they pass it on. We ask them each to bring one flower and add it to the “Share Bouquet”. Amazing things happen when you take just a little time out of your day to share and give back. The first year of our celebration the local flower shop could not understand why there was such an influx of business this one day. We now pre-warn them that the day is coming. Mary receives an abundance of notes and flowers that she of course shares with the rest of her staff at the day’s end. She gets to hug and reconnect with kids and adults alike from the past and present.

It is such an amazing experience each year. No matter what is going on in our lives we always walk away feeling so very fulfilled. How grateful we are for the one person that inspired it and the chance to celebrate all that is good!

Submitted by Anonymous

Giving Back