Dear Dana, Your 55th birthday will mark only the second time we’ve met, which leads me to the first thing I want to say: despite not knowing me for nearly as long as all the others invited to this celebration, thank you for wanting me here! When Matt told me that I was asked to be a part of your special day, there was no hesitation in saying I would be there. It meant a whole lot that you thought to include me, the same way in which it meant a whole lot to include me at wine tasting this past September. While your decision to have me at Ram’s Gate may have come without too much thought, it made me feel special and worthwhile -- a sentiment which can be more broadly understood as the following: small acts of kindness never go unnoticed, and are one of the simplest, yet most important, ways to spread love. As a part of this assignment, we were told to write you a love letter, a task that can be interpreted a number of ways. I felt that the best thing I could do would be to share a poem that holds special meaning to me, and echoes the aforementioned point of view.
Give Them the Flowers Now
by Leigh M. Hodges
by Leigh M. Hodges
Closed eyes can't see the white roses,
Cold hands can't hold them, you know,
Breath that is stilled can not gather
The odors that sweet from them blow.
Death, with a peace beyond dreaming,
Its children of earth doth endow;
Life is the time we can help them,
So give them the flowers now!
Here are the struggles and striving,
Here are the cares and the tears;
Now is the time to be smoothing
The frowns and the furrows and fear.
What to closed eyes are kind sayings?
What to hushed heart is deep vow?
Naught can avail after parting,
So give them the flowers now!
Just a kind word or a greeting;
Just a warm grasp or a smile--
There are the flowers that will lighten
The burdens for many a mile.
After the journey is over
What is the use of them; how
Can they carry them who must be carried?
Oh, give them the flowers now!
Blooms from the happy heart's garden
Plucked in the spirit of love;
Blooms that are earthly reflections
Of flowers that blossom above.
Words cannot tell what a measure
Of blessing such gifts will allow
To dwell in the lives of many,
So give them the flowers now!
Cold hands can't hold them, you know,
Breath that is stilled can not gather
The odors that sweet from them blow.
Death, with a peace beyond dreaming,
Its children of earth doth endow;
Life is the time we can help them,
So give them the flowers now!
Here are the struggles and striving,
Here are the cares and the tears;
Now is the time to be smoothing
The frowns and the furrows and fear.
What to closed eyes are kind sayings?
What to hushed heart is deep vow?
Naught can avail after parting,
So give them the flowers now!
Just a kind word or a greeting;
Just a warm grasp or a smile--
There are the flowers that will lighten
The burdens for many a mile.
After the journey is over
What is the use of them; how
Can they carry them who must be carried?
Oh, give them the flowers now!
Blooms from the happy heart's garden
Plucked in the spirit of love;
Blooms that are earthly reflections
Of flowers that blossom above.
Words cannot tell what a measure
Of blessing such gifts will allow
To dwell in the lives of many,
So give them the flowers now!
Thank you for making me feel included. That kindness is something I will always remember. Happy Birthday Dana.
Love, Sylvanna