GFTAS Day

Day 181

It's the 27th of the month, and you know what that means! Give Flowers to a Stranger Day.


I felt fortunate that GFTAS Day this month was on a Monday. That meant that I could use Sunday to prepare. Yesterday I cut some beautiful fall flowers from my yard and arranged them in a vase that I found tucked away in the basement. I am much better at giving flowers away than making a presentable arrangement, so this took me a considerable amount of time.

Today I knew my destination. There is a nursing home near my work where my aunt lived a number of years ago. My plan was to go and deliver them to a resident in need of some cheer. But when I arrived my emotions snuck up on me. I didn't expect to feel such sadness about missing my aunt. It has been almost 10 years since she passed away, but she was one of those special people who lives on in your heart.

I left the flowers receptionist at the front desk, with instructions to please give them to a resident who didn't often receive such gifts. She seemed surprised; it was clear this was not a common occurance. Perhaps as GFTAS Day catches on, there might be more folks walking with this same request in on the 27th of every month.

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The history of Give Flowers to a Stranger Day can be found in these previous entries.

Montly Feature
Flowers For a Stranger
Flowers Anonymous
Controversial Kindness
It's Sweeping the Nation!

The day has also been celebrated on Smiling,Laughing and Loving Life and Love Your Neighbor. They too, have discovered that the joy seems to be shared equally in the giving and the receiving. Give it a try next month and you'll see.