Making Grandparents Happy, One Bouquet at a Time

It was Grandparents Day this past Sunday, September 7. Millions of people flocked to various retirement residences and private homes, tributes in hand, to visit their senior family members. Millions more picked up the phone for a loving phone call; others sent lovely bouquets of flowers and thoughtful gifts.

Um…maybe not.

Did you forget? If so, you’re not alone. Not everyone even knows about Grandparents Day, much less celebrates it, yet this holiday began in 1995 and honours some of our most valuable society members. In the most recent survey, Canada had over 6.7 million grandparents, with each having an average of 4.7 grandchildren (Statistics Canada 2001). Of Canadians aged sixty-five or older, 80% of women and 74% of men are grandparents. 

Today’s grandparent often ends up caring for young children while parents work or helping smooth a transition for children post divorce. The grandparent-grandchild bond is second in importance only to the parent-child bond (Kornhaber 1996). Grandparents are a repository of memory and experience for their individual family and for society as a whole. It's important to recognize them.

This year Bloomex reached out to various retirement residences across Canada with a simple offer to provide some lovely complimentary bouquets to residents for Grandparents Day. The retirement residence could either name some residents who could benefit from some added cheer this year, or use the bouquets as prizes. After scores of emails and phone calls, it was clear that the holiday was being treated with varying degrees of involvement (one home had no idea it was a holiday).

The majority of the residences did reply quickly and with enthusiasm. Some took the extra time to organize raffles to help celebrate the event, or could immediately name residents who had gone through hard times recently. It became clear that even a small tribute, and the demonstration that somebody remembered and somebody cared, made a big difference in the lives of these special seniors. 

A big thank you to the wonderful administrators and caring staff that took us up on the offer and went out of their way to organize the donation and to brighten the day of their residents. After giving so much to the next generations, these grandparents deserve some recognition and more than a little love given back. And the further good news is that you don’t have to wait for Grandparents Day to tell a family member how much they mean to you. There is never a wrong day for that.

Here are some of the highlights, generously provided by some of the participating residences:

Alta Vista Retirement Residence

“It was a wonderful donation, thank you!”

 Jenna Lacharity

Community Marketing Manager

Alta Vista Retirement Center

Ottawa, ON

 “The flowers arrived!  We had a draw amongst all the residents at breakfast and our two lucky winners were absolutely delighted!  Thank you so much for bringing a smile to the faces of our residents.”

Kind regards, Barbara

Amica at Apenwoods, Calgary, Alberta

“Yes the bouquets arrived on Friday just after lunch. I spoke with the three (designated) residents Friday afternoon, and assisted one resident with getting the flowers out of the shipper box. All residents were extremely happy (two of the residents cried; they were that happy.)

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making these three residents happy. They were full of smiles all weekend. Thank You.”

Lorne Taylor | Hospitality Manager

Atria Retirement Canada | Churchill Manor

Edmonton, AB

 

All three photos courtesy of Rutherford Heights Retirement Residence: An ALL Seniors Care Living Center

"Grandparents day was a huge success for us. We did raffle the two bouquets and the receiving residents were very thankful. Again, thank you for contributing”.

Kim Green

Rutherford Heights Retirement Residence An ALL Seniors Care Living Center

Edmonton, AB

Let's hope that next year, there are even more grandparents being remembered!

The Art of the Apology: Saying Sorry with Flowers

Saying sorry can be very difficult, though everyone messes up. When you have done something to cause someone hurt or inconvenience, you may feel remorse, guilt or regret. Whether you choose to apologize in person or in writing, there are some aspects to the apology that apply to every situation, and can boost the chances for healing and forgiveness. 

A true and complete apology should encompass three aspects: acknowledgement and regret for the hurt or inconvenience your actions caused, taking responsibility for your own actions without making excuses or casting blame elsewhere, and an indication of how you will try to fix the situation going forward.

Take some time to think about the situation, your actions, and the other person. Evaluate their feelings, and the hurt they may be experiencing. Think about why the event occurred, and evaluate if you feel genuine remorse, and why. Reflect on what you might do to improve the current situation or to prevent a repeat occurrence in the future.

Be sincere. An apology message does not have to be elaborate to be effective. Conveying a true expression of regret is often enough to help heal the situation.

Be specific if needed. For example, “I’m sorry. I realize that by being late I caused us to be late for the visit with your parents. Please let me make it up to you by taking your parents to dinner next week.” Or if you miss a friend’s birthday, you could say “I am sorry I was so disorganized this year and let such an important date go by. You mean so much to me and I feel awful. I added an alert to my phone so I won’t miss your birthday again."

Use light humor only if you are absolutely certain the other person will accept it. Making light of the situation does not usually constitute a genuine apology and may end up hurting the person more.

Whatever you decide to write, sending flowers and a sincere message that you gave thought to can be a bridge toward healing for all concerned. Flowers that traditionally convey apology include a mix of red and white roses, pink carnations, or white tulips, but there are many choices available and you should think most about the intended recipient. 

You may or may not earn forgiveness, but odds are that you will at least open the doors to communication. And you will feel much better for making the effort.

Here are some suggestions for card messages you can include with your flowers: 

 

"I am so sorry. I know I hurt your feelings and I feel terrible about it."
"I’m sorry for being so insensitive and insane. I know that it’s not an excuse I hope you can have a forgiving heart soon. I miss you."
"I’ve said things I should never said, I’ve done things I should never done- tell me how can I make things right. I’m sorry and I miss you so much!"
"I am truly sorry for the pain I caused you."
"How can ½ be 1 without you, my other half? Please forgive me."
"I'm sorry. I know it is difficult for you to trust people and my lying to you hasn't made it any easier. I shouldn't have lied no matter how afraid I was of your reaction."
"I'm sorry. You have every right to be angry with me. I will never speak that way to you again."
"Accept these flowers in place of the words I said."
"We haven’t talked since our last fight, but I want to tell you that I’m still the same friend you had before. And I still am going to be, so please forgive me."
"I'll never forgive myself...but I'm hoping you will. I'm sorry."
"I may not be perfect, but I have perfect regret. I am so sorry for what happened."
"I love you so much. I would do anything to make you smile. I can’t believe I just hurt you. Please forgive me. I am so sorry."

The 20 Best Ways to Use Flowers

When you think about it, flowers are extremely versatile. We often think of them only as things that are pretty to look at and maybe have a nice smell to them. Which is true, of course. But looking beyond that, there are so many different uses for flowers beyond the obvious.

We'll include a few of the basics, which are impossible to overlook. But hopefully, you'll find some inspiration here in some of the more outside-the-box and creative ways that people have used flowers for.

So with that being said, here are the 20 Best Ways to Use Flowers... in no particular order.


1. As a way to say thank you.

2. ... Or as a way to say sorry.

3. As a symbol of remembrance and tribute.

4. Eat them. Yes, seriously! But only certain types, of course.

5. ... Or, if that's a bit too out-there for you, use them to make a beautiful non-edible cake!

6. Dry them and preserve them for a beautiful, lasting look. There are several excellent guides out there on the Internet.

7. Use them to beautify derelict public spaces (but get permission first.)

8. As decoration to liven up a dull space. Obvious, maybe, but hey, it does the trick every time.

9. As part of wedding festivities -- for bridal bouquets, bridesmaides, etc.

10. .Write a song or poem and use flowers as a literal subject, or as a metaphor for some other meaning.

11. Let someone know that you care about them (cue 'Saved By the Bell' 'oooooooh!' effect.)

12. Send them to someone special and let them know you're thinking of them.

13. Use them as the focal point of crafts or activities for your kids. 

14. Alternatively, use flowers as an adult alternative to some kids-focused holidays which you've possibly outgrown.

15. Use them as centrepieces at a wedding, banquet, or other event.

16. Offer them as a symbol of peace or goodwill.

17. For the hippy-dippy amongs you, make a DIY flower crown.

18. Use them to keep certain animals away in more rural areas.

19. Display them as a symbol of your civic pride. 

20. Use flowers as a relaxant or aroma-therapeutic treat.

A Thanksgiving Flower Idea

Though it's still a month off in the United States, Canadians will celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, with the big day taking place on October 14, 2013.

If you're scrambling for flower ideas, allow us to offer up the following: our Glorious Autumn Combo Special. This beautiful, rustic bouquet contains a stunning mix of Sunflowers, Gerbera Daisies, a Rose, Daisy Spray Chrysanthemums and Carnations in the colours of the season. Best of all, it includes a free vase and a greeting card.

Bloomex delivers to nearly every part of the country so you can be sure your flowers will arrive fresh and on-time. Here's a photo of the bouquet, which along with the vase and greeting card, goes for just $39.99 for a limited time.

Want to find out more? Here's a link to the Product Page where you can purchase it, if you'd like. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!