Flowers Every Thursday

Dear Colleagues,

I apologize for not writing of industry issues today. But, I would like to share an interesting encounter from last week.

First, THE BACKGROUND...

In 1977, the Mapes Hotel was a major client of my former distributorship, Barker Business Systems. This is relevant only because one of their executives invited me to become a small shareholder in a new venture to provide processed produce to restaurants in Northern Nevada.

And, this is relevant only because our new venture, Nevada Industrial Foods Corporation, shared a large building with Regas Wholesale Florists, who distributed flowers to all the Reno retail florists.

And, this is relevant only because at that time I was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic parish – all of which brings me to the starting point for today’s Tuesday’s With Ross. Thank you, for bearing with me.

Recently, after a 25-year hiatus resulting from a change of residence, I purchased a new home and once again became a member of Our Lady of the Snows parish. Last Friday, I was at the parish rectory and saw a face I had not seen in decades.

"Brother Eddy," I exclaimed, "Ross Barker. How nice to see you."

I recalled a Sunday Mass decades earlier when a youthful Brother Eddy was introduced by our pastor as a new member of the parish staff, who would primarily provide spiritual comfort to patients in nursing and convalescent homes. My memory was of a somewhat earnest young person with thick matted black hair. This Brother Eddy had thinning hair streaked with gray. But, his joyful eyes radiated the serenity of a person fulfilling their destined purpose in life.

"Ross Barker," he echoed. "Do you know my favorite memory of you?"

I must confess I was startled he remembered me at all.

"On my first Sunday at Our Lady of the Snows, I asked the congregation to donate flowers, so I would have something to cheer the patients I visit. That week you took me to Regas Wholesale Florists and arranged for me to come every Thursday and take all the flowers not fresh enough to sell. And, then you bought me cartons of vases because you said I would need something to hold the flowers. That is my favorite memory of you."

I was at a loss for words. I had completely forgotten. But, then he really stunned me.

"Do you realize that every week for the past THIRTY-TWO YEARS I’ve taken flowers to all the patients in my ministry? Mr. Regas, bless his soul, died long ago, and the business has changed hands several times. But, each owner has continued to give me flowers every Thursday.

"Only," he smiled conspiratorially, "I think they give me fresh flowers."

Thirty-two years!

I tried to put it in context. The Mapes Hotel was razed years ago. Our venture company sold. For seventeen years, our family moored a summer sailboat at Lake Tahoe. For thirty years, I’ve been involved with distributor software.

Thirty-two years!

All this time, each week this humble Brother of the Holy Rosary has distributed flowers, companionship and spiritual comfort to persons confined to nursing and convalescent homes. Talk about faithfulness. And, the flowers the product of a good deed I had completely forgotten.

So what’s the point? My friends - try not to forsake an opportunity to do something good! Even our smallest acts of generosity and kindness can be magnified far beyond our intentions – like, thirty-two years in this case. It’s really not complicated. I have a favorite inscription memorized.

"I wish you neither riches,
nor the glow of greatness;
but where ever you go,
a lonely heart is brightened,
by your smile;
a shadowed life knows sunshine,
for awhile;
and so, your path may be a track of light,
like angels’ footsteps,
passing through the night."

Somehow, I think Brother Eddy has it down. I know I’ve got a ways to go. But, I learned an important lesson Friday. When we give a little ... GOD GIVES A LOT!

Sincerely,



Ross Barker