Living bouquets. It’s a concept that I learned from my Mom. After she went for a funeral she would be irritated by the long eulogy. Then she’d give me instructions on how she would like her funeral to be. This would be followed by her profound words: “If you have something nice to say to someone, don’t wait to say it at their graveside!”
Living Bouquets
We’ve all heard wonderful eulogies and said many things about people after they’ve gone – if only we would say it to them while they’re alive! Perhaps we would have made their lives happier?
When Mom found this poem, she was thrilled, because it was just what she believed in.
When I Quit this Mortal Shore
“Living Bouquets” by Mabel Easley Peters, 1878 – 1939.When I quit this mortal shore,
and mosey ’round the earth no more,
Don’t weep, don’t sigh, don’t sob;
I may have struck a better job.Don’t go and buy a bright bouquet,
for which you’ll find it hard to pay.
Don’t mope around and feel all blue,
I may be better off than you.Don’t tell folks I was a saint,
or any other thing I ain’t.
If you have jam like that to spread,
Please hand it out before I’m dead.If you have roses, bless you soul,
Just pin one in my buttonhole.
While I’m alive and well today,
Don’t wait until I’ve gone away.
I’m grateful to my mother for helping me to begin to say, ‘I love you’ to people I care about. I have still a long way to go in learning to truly appreciate and express appreciation, but I’ve made a start.
While this post is inspired by today’s prompt, it is really inspired by my mother. I’m happy to report that I followed her instructions about her funeral. And I’m trying to follow your instructions about living bouquets, Mom. I hope you’re happy!
“If you meet someone and they strike you as beautiful in any way, why not let them know?” – Jill Scott
#FridayReflections
Friday Reflections is a link up hosted by Shalini at KohlEyed Me and me, Corinne at Everyday Gyaan. We invite you to join us every Friday to share a good cup of tea and your reflections based on the prompts we provide.
Here’s how #FridayReflections works:
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- Write a post using one of the prompts for the week provided below.
- Use the hashtag #FridayReflections. Please follow us on Twitter @FridayReflect and join our Facebook Group.
- Add your link to the linky below.
- Use our #FridayReflections badge to encourage other bloggers to join in too.
- Visit and comment on the posts of other bloggers linked here.
Prompts for 11th May 2018
- Write about a strange experience that you’ve had – one that can’t be explained rationally.
- “If you meet someone and they strike you as beautiful in any way, why not let them know?” – Jill Scott
- Picture prompt via Corinne Rodrigues
I loved that poem you quoted Corinne – absolutely lovely.
What your mom said is so true! We should always express our feelings, pay compliments and never have any regrets. It isn’t a Herculean task to acknowledge and appreciate things. I so loved the poem you shared, dear Corinne.
Kohl Eyed Me
Lovely poem and really thats what I would want to. Don’t want anyone to rush over to see my body after I am dead. Be there when alive.