Just in time for two residents celebrating their 100th birthday, and 200 other people. People at gas stations, senior apartment building, and three nursing homes in Philadelphia.
National Enquirer- 2013
A little about my 91 year old volunteer - Bob
Click on the link below to article in The Chestnut Hill Local newspaper.
‘Heart’ of 91-year-old man is an inspiration - ‘Random acts of flowering’ cheering up elderly patients
Posted Friday, August 1, 2014 11:04 am
Patricia Gallagher, founder of “The Flower Lady Project,” is seen with her mother (closest to camera), Claire Mohan, on Claire’s 88th birthday on Feb. 17 of this year. In the rear is Patricia’s aunt, Anne Jordan. Claire died on April 22.[/caption]
by Patricia Gallagher
Ed. Note: The cover story in Local Life on July 17 was about Patricia Gallagher, a Chalfont woman who is best known as “The Flower Lady.” Trisha founded the Flower Lady Project last year with the help of Bob and Hannelore Goodwin, who are both ministers at the Circle of Miracles Church in New Britain, PA. Tricia, who puts 100 miles on her car in an average day, picks up day-old flowers from Trader Joe’s that would otherwise be thrown away, and she delivers them to nursing homes and hospitals all over the area to cheer up patients. In many cases the flowers literally have a therapeutic effect.
My mother, Claire Mohan, passed away April 22 of this year in at-home hospice at the age of 88. Right up until the end she would help me deliver the flowers because it gave her life a purpose, which was to brighten the days of the patients. She could not go in most of time with me (but in the beginning six months she could), but she waited in the car while I ran in and did my thing.
Another man, Bob, who was 91 on July 23 of this year, also helped me deliver flowers. He is living in an assisted living place now, The Solana on Horsham Road in North Wales, and his health is failing. His spirits are pretty low these days. We had a lot of good times being the Flower People.
He needed a purpose for living, too, which was fulfilled by the flower deliveries. I loved listening to Bob’s stories about going to Yale University, being a Navy officer and his career with U.S. Steel. I think the story about these good people who have come along for the ride is very uplifting.
Bob, who really inspires me, and I would start out our flower caper adventure with a jolt of coffee from McDonald’s and a cinnamon bun. He often brought his harmonica along and played a tune as I passed out the flowers. I call these deliveries “random acts of flowering.” Every morning I send a silent prayer towards the heavens and ask, “God, who needs the gift of a beautiful bouquet today?”
My internal God GPS device leads me to half-way houses, AIDS hospices, nursing homes and even to random bus stops and train stations. In 14 months, I have had the privilege of being the deliverer of 19,451 bouquets of fresh flowers. Most days, I have close to a hundred bouquets to pass out to strangers.
Yesterday, I went to The Solana assisted living facility in North Wales and walked into the dining room. The staff and residents know me because I stop by about once a month. I was there to pass out flowers and to visit my friend Bob. Before he was hospitalized last December, he was my helper in flower deliveries.
Now at age 91, Bob had a concern that was more pressing than others. He looked at me intently. “Trish, it looks like I am going to be living here permanently. My wife is also going through serious health issues. I can’t think of any words that can comfort her. I need care now, too, and it is too much for her to have to worry about me while she is trying to heal. I don’t know what is wrong with my legs, and I have to use oxygen some of the time.”
I asked him, “Bob, what is that orange pouch hanging on your wrist?” He said, “Trish, that is my crystal heart in there. It is just a felt bag and it symbolically holds my wife’s heart. Every morning and night, I take the crystal heart out of the bag and hold it and send my love to her.
“I ‘Reiki’ the heart. I ask God to have my love touch her in the way that my words cannot right now. I motion my fingers over it. I used to hang it on my walker. I didn’t want to lose it or forget to pray on it. So now I keep it on my wrist. I can’t lose it at night if it is on my wrist. It is with me when I am in bed.”
I said, “Bob, that is the most loving thing I have ever heard of. So many people are separated from loved ones. In recovery houses, prisons, overseas serving our country or in hospitals and nursing homes.”
I thought of my dear mother, who passed away on April 22. The three of us used to go to the Piano Bar restaurant sing-a-long on Tuesday nights. Then their health declined about the same time. Bob always sang patriotic songs, and my mother sang her favorite Patsy Cline tunes.
“Bob, what a great idea!” I said. “I am going to buy a heart and ‘talk’ to my mother in heaven, too. I think we should tell other people about it. What do you want to call it?”
“Oh geez, Trish. ‘Hearts Away ‘ is what comes to my mind right now. Sort of like when I was serving in the Navy in the Philippines. We used to say ‘Anchors Away.’ I have her heart with me all of the time. Really my true heart is never away from her.”
More information about the Flower Lady Project can be obtained - www.happyflowerday.org
LIFE AS “THE FLOWER LADY” IS LIVING THE DREAM!
I have close to 2O0 bouquets and plants right now. OMG!
On my way to a food pantry and a nursing home, and here, there, and everywhere!
Getting Set for Free Flowering - my favorite part of the day
The residents of this nursing home have not been out of their rooms since March. The activity director will put the plants and flowers in their rooms to bring a little cheer. I didn’t have enough for all the residents and the dedicated staff. I will be sure to go back there with a carload of flowery joy in the next few days. And took some to the volunteers helping at a food pantry today.
www.happyflowerday.org
What a pair - my 88 year old mom and I passing out free flowers
IT IS TIME TO BLOOM SMILES!
Story Idea
Mother of four, grandmother of two - but did I have any other roles or talents? I had been searching for a reason to know that my life mattered.
Becoming “The Flower Lady” helped my twilight years blossom! .
May I please share with you -
1. What blooming kindness one bouquet at a time means to me personally, and to the 65,000 people who received a free bouquet
2. What a “day of flowering” smiles is like – I pick up up about 300 bouquets a week
3. Some poignant stories of the people I have met
4. My prescription for finding my purpose and joy
5. How I accidentally started a nationwide movement to collect day-old donated flowers from grocery stores to take to nursing homes, hospitals, doctors’ offices, recovery centers, hospices, and to people walking around their neighborhood
6. Why stores donate their day-old flowers
7. How others can do the same in their community - free and fun
Thank you.
Patricia – “still blooming” at 69 years old. (My mother is in the picture, w/red sweater. She helped me deliver flowers even with her oxygen attached.)
Cell - 267 939 0365
I live in a Philadelphia suburb.
Lots of pictures, videos, colorful props, lively guest/interview
www.happyflowerday.org
"Un-Flower-ettable" - the stories that I hear, and the people that I meet
It is always “flower o’clock somewhere!” Four hundred and twelve free bouquets were passed out this week. 200 on Wednesday, 91 bouquets on Friday and 121 on Sunday. Given to strangers - unexpectedly.
www.happyflowerday.org
The Flower Lady Loves to Hop to It to Spread Good Cheer!
Free flowers are the best! I can’t do anything to stop the spread of the virus but I am sure glad that I can spread joy with donated petals and blooms. Today, they were given to to thrift shop volunteers, a lady whose husband passed away, to strangers on the street, and just lots of folks that I meet while going in my flowering adventures.
Flower-ceptional way to feel happier!
Simply gazing at flowers can lift depression and boost your mood - so just think how good a sad person feels when “out the blue,” a stranger gives them several big, beautiful, free bouquets. Smelling a rose and touching the petals to your cheek reduces stress, makes people smile, lifts spirits, makes everyone look good, and feel great too - guaranteed! More than 65,000 bouquets have been given away so far! That is why I do this “flowery bliss sharing” on Monday. And repeat on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday! It is how I fill my day with smiles! This is how I found the “silver lining” when I experienced the “empty-nest” syndrome. It is just little old me, not a big organization!
Good Living with Flower Giving - the best natural high for giver and receiver
Natural, yes! Beautiful, yes! All free, yes! I found that during the pandemic, there is an epidemic of sadness in many parts of Norristown and Philadelphia, for everyday people as well as seniors in nursing homes. So that is why I don’t shelter at home when I can don a mask, and like “flower power” on a rolling stone......keep on flowering on! 100 bouquets today. A win, win, win. For the stores, strangers and me.
Rescued flowers repair when people are having a bad day, need a lift, or need a free gift
250 free bouquets of fresh, free flowers to give away this morning! All to strangers! All donated.
A simple way to add dignity to a tent encampment - flowers for unsheltered/homeless in Philadelphia
I was horrified to see 150 people living in rows of tents, “unsheltered people” - homeless, in the City of Brotherly Love.
It was the end of my flowering day. I was in Philadelphia - not far from the art museum.
I had 50 free bouquets in my car. I met the man - a volunteer helping people who are homeless. Members of his church from NJ were at the “tent city encampment” site on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Their members bring food, cases of water, and a message of faith. We talked for 5 minutes, and he told me of the circumstances that bring people to such a plight. Homeless. Hungry. Jobless. Hopeless.
There is a housing shortage in Philadelphia - men, women, and kids are actually living in small pop up tents - in all kinds of weather. Remember Tropical Storm Isaias - and the high winds and rain that tore through the area two weeks ago?
It is really hard to believe that here in the USA that we can’t do better to help people who are in great need. Several men came to my car and carried buckets of flowers over to the tent area. I watched as people carried the bouquets to their tents, and shared the roses, tulips, and daisies with one another. Yes, water, food, flowers - all things that comfort.
Freshening up neighborhoods with free flowers - my morning routine
One of the best volunteer jobs in the world is being “The Flower Lady.” One man calls me “Mrs. Roses.”
I drive up to 96 miles a day in my KIA - gathering and giving away free, donated bouquets! Five hundred bouquets of flowers and thirty boxes of food were given away this week. And someone donated a bicycle for a five year old, school supplies for six little ones, and 2 ladies gave me a total of $177 to help someone. I knew of a young woman from an impoverished family who was heading to her first year of college on a scholarship. Her mother showed me the list of needed things for her dorm room. Blanket, shampoo, hygiene items, etc. The mother could not provide them for her daughter.
But honestly, all of the driving around this week, picking up all types of donations has gotten me to the point of exhaustion. And maybe a bout of compassion fatigue. I am going to take a break this week. My adult kids want me to cease my outreach due to concerns about COVID. I think they are right.
Many of the people that I interact with do not wear masks, do not have masks, can’t afford masks, have no transportation to stores to buy masks, are not connected to social services, do not have soap, sanitizer, food, and toilet paper.
A lot of people are suffering.
The lady pictured below was my last visit before the pandemic started - remember those wonderful days when nobody wore masks? I hope the doors open wide to visitors soon so I can go back to this senior community and bloom smiles again. Everyone there loved receiving flowers on a monthly basis.
Fresh and Vibrant Bouquets Lift Spirits......guaranteed!
What is happening now with Ella - my flower rambler?
My flowering volunteer is Ella who will be 96 years-old in September - a true late bloomer. She misses going out with me and making others feel better.
She has lost the fun she had being my flower assistant.
We used to have daily “Petals and Blooms-ceptional” days at senior centers and nursing homes delivering flowers together. And then we would go out to eat at a diner.
For several years, before the pandemic hit, we walked in with our arms full of flowers to give away for FREE to the golden age seniors and caregivers. And Ella always shared encouraging words.
Her spirits are now at rock bottom. I cannot take her in my car with me now, because of social distancing. I still go out flowering wearing a mask. We visit from a distance. She lives behind me.
I wish the media could meet her - and see what a purpose can do for someone. And maybe do something special for her 96th birthday in 11 days. She had purpose, enjoyed the aromatherapy of the flowers, the splendid feeling of doing acts of kindness, and had the thrill of seeing people along our flower travels, but not now.....she just sits in her place.
She misses offering a kind smile.
She loves horses. She used to ride and had a pony.
Lovely flowers and amazing flowers - and they are free!
ELLA NEEDS SOME FLOWERING FUN RIGHT NOW.....but the pandemic has thrown being my flower assistant off course.
Here is Ella today! She will be 96 on September 15th. She misses The Happy Flower Day Project - it gave her purpose, fun, socialization, and affection. We always went to a diner for lunch. And people gave her lots of hugs. She was hugged by hundreds of people while passing out flowers. And she had so many things to talk about to strangers.
We can’t visit like we used to but today we sat on chairs about 10 feet apart, and we talked outside. She was on her old-fashioned “portable” phone, and I talked on my cell phone. She can’t hear now when talking in person, but somehow the amplified sound on our phone setup - makes visiting on her patio work well.
The flower pictures are from a year ago.
Effortless Smile Maker - free flowers
Just starting my flowering morning! I sat quietly in a chapel asking what the Happy Flower Day Project really is. In the quiet of my meditation, I heard -
Flower strong!
Flowers at the ready to help people during the pandemic
Finding a home for day-old flowers, that are ever new to the person who receives them
Purposeful flowering to people who experience sadness and challenges
The travels of Trisha....reaching out
An active and joy-filled mission
120 free bouquets lifted spirits with seeds of joy at 4 Philadelphia senior communities today.
Free Fall Splendor
Free flowers make people smile....under their masks! Enjoyed by the residents and staff at Inglis House, Hayes Manor, Simpson House, at a mini-mart, and a senior apartment building on Girard Avenue. 120 fall bouquets and little succulents in cute Halloween ceramic pots created joy for strangers today.
Comments -
“Can I have one for my friend who has cancer?”
“I gave one to the Spanish lady at the store. She takes good care of me.”
“I am going to see my sister. I will give her these flowers.”
“ These flowers remind me of my wife. Her name was Gladys. I bought her flowers every Saturday.”
“My mother and father were in the same nursing home room together. She passed away in April. My father who is 88 has a roommate now. The man had a stroke and can’t talk so my father has nobody to have a conversation with. He loves gardening, music and reading. He will love the flowers.”
“I am new here. Do you bring these flowers every week?”
“It’s my daughter’s birthday. Now I have a gift for her!”
Free flowers - one hundred percent chance of blooming smiles
150 bouquets at store 1. Passed them out. Then another pick up at store 2. Looks like a close to 250 free bouquets kind of day!
Comments -
“I am going to give these flowers to the girl who brings my meals to me.”
“Can I have some for my mom, girlfriend and my grandmom?”
“Can my little boy have some to give to his mom?”
“I don’t need any for myself. I just want five to give to my neighbors.”
“These sunflowers remind me of my husband. He used to love sunflowers.”
“I don’t want to be greedy but I know ten people I can give them too,”
“It is my friend’s birthday party tonight.”
“I am going to give to my neighbor who fell and broke her pelvis and got two black eyes.”
“It is so nice to get flowers when it is not a funeral. I know about that. I lost three of my children and my husband.”
“Let me place all of these flowers on the windowsills here in the lobby. They look so beautiful. Our receptionist just called the activity director, and she is on her way down.”
Bright and happy activity to do with others or by yourself - me, mostly solo flowering
When I arrived at one of the stores that shares flower donations, oh no......the flowers were not waiting for me.
When I called this morning, the store rep said they had 4 boxes. That is A LOT of flowers. But I am not the only one who picks up donations. Once in a while, we have a miscommunication - and today someone else picked up the bouquets.
I called a second store and they had 10 bouquets. I really wanted to take them to a place where they would do very flowery good work.
I passed two senior apartment buildings and met a few ladies who were caregivers. And found ten people - the 10 perfect people to give them to.
I looked at a card from a recent recipient -
Dear Patricia,
I want to thank you for the beautiful bouquets you gave us. It was nice of you fix them up and bring them. I heard that you bring them to shut-ins too. The flowers bring joy and happiness. I had the last bouquet for a week. You are 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. Love and Prayers, Eleanor
The note meant a lot. The smiles mean a lot. I am grateful to the stores that donate flowers. I really don't have to worry about where to take them - the flowers "know" exactly where to go! 300 of them this week!
Putting my "best flowers forward" to lots of strangers today!
I am the defender of the “close-to expiration-date” flowers! I cherish the day-old petals and blooms that need a new home. I am grateful to meet wonderful people as I wander around town asking, “Would you like a free bouquet?”
Stores donate them to me, and I pass them out. I save them from being thrown away when they still have a lot of flower power left in them. Power to comfort, heal, encourage and lift spirits - given to hundreds of strangers every week. Since, May of 2013.
I love gifting free flowers as a friendly way to say, “Have a nice day. Someone is thinking of you. You are important. Stay safe. Someone cares.”
