On a warmish ( above 50 degrees in what was a mostly low double/sometimes below zero winter) snow-melting Sunday, I ventured out with two fun friends, Patricia Gallagher and Kate Wiley to scatter joy on the streets of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Trish is also known as the Angel Pin Lady and the Flower Lady, because for many years, she has given away scads (many thousands) of angel pins known as A Team of Angels for the Overwhelmed and now she drives each day to Trader Joe’s and picks up flowers that they donate and she delivers them to nursing homes, assisted living and senior centers. After services at Circle of Miracles, an interfaith community that we are part of,  she asked to have lunch together and as the three of us sat enjoying our meal, I suggested that we take the bags of posies that she had in her car and flower flash mob folks in our little town.

 

Excited and wondering who we would encounter, we parked and meandered the streets. Heading to The Doylestown Bookshop, we gave bouquets to shoppers and staff. Such smiles lit their faces!

I  could feel our own steps lightening as we asked the surprised passersby if they wanted flowers. A daddy and his two kiddos took a bunch for their wife/mom and the little ones wiggled and giggled with delight about the surprise they were bringing home with them. Two women who hailed from Australia accepted some of the last few at the end of our adventure.

At Nonno’s Italian Coffee Parlor, we warmed the hearts of those who were sitting at the tables indulging in sweet treats. I knew that I was in ‘the zone’ and had emotional needs met by giving since I had no desire to ask for my drug of choice: chocolate.

A mother and son chatted with us as we explained the method to our madness. It turns out that she works for a social service agency and he is in marketing; both areas of my experience as well. My friend David DiPasquale happened to be there; laptop, teapot, and goodies on the table. He chose a potted flowering plant to care for. It was good to see him smile since his longtime canine companion Daisy had crossed The Rainbow Bridge this week.

One of the most adorable stories began when a young man who I noticed perched on top of a parking meter like an elf, dashed across the street and asked for us to give him flowers for his lady love Nicole who worked at Poor Richard’s. He informed us with a laugh that he called himself The Flower Bandit since, in the summer, he picked wildflowers for her. We asked if we could witness his gift giving and we followed him in. How lovely to see love in bloom in the midst of winter…

 

which lead to kisses and cuddles….

Patricia does this out of the goodness of her heart; using her own time and gasoline. She welcomes donations and I  would love to have her receive them.

You can find out more about The Flower Lady Project at www.patriciausa.com

Although the bags were empty within an hour, our hearts were full to overflowing and we can only guess the ripple effects that this random act of flowers created.

These photos were taken with our dear friend, Bob Goodwin, who, in his 90’s was still delivering flowers. He is likely doing something equally lovely on the Other Side.