Wilt Not Flowers Do?

 Everyone loves receiving flowers other than funeral ones. The latter are sometimes depressing rather than chocolates or box of cookies that would be much more appreciated.  But I adore being given flowers. It isn't all about the flowers, but more that they become  beautiful little friends with whom I may share my attention with daily in my home. The first thing I do in the morning is to tend to my new florals. They lie patiently at my sink as I clean their vases and clip off what they do not need: dead stems, wilted leaves, spent blooms. When I replace them in the aerated cold water, they seem to breath again. Which blossoms are the showy stars and which are the important companions that enhance them with their shy petals in the background? The gentleman greens stand on guard at the back or loll drooping dangerously as grassy fronds adding shape and space to the bouquet. The joy of re-vasing the flowers becomes pleasant work before morning coffee.  Daily I place them somewhere  to complement and compliment the space for their time with me. My bouquet stems are clipped daily, at first generously and later with caution. I want them to last as long as possible but remain fresh looking. It makes me sad to say farewell to the ones that are over but I have learned something new. When it comes to the point of there being no more stem space to deal with, I decide to float my flowers in a bowl. If their petals are drooping, they don't mind spreading once again in  water. Today, I have so few, they are in one of my favorite black mugs and  lie in water as though in a warm bath but a cold one! Another trick I use often is to add some false blossoms or dried additions that are so well done, they look fresh and real and perk up the older ones. Fake ivy brightens up any corner in a room and few bother to question their imitation abilities. Sending someone flowers, sends light and love to a person whose day will then be ashine.