Stories of Kindness from Around the World

40 'Left Over' Carnations From Graduation


--by Kat Callaway, posted Jun 21, 2007
Recently I graduated from high school, and as a gift I recieved a huge bouquet of carnations; 40 to be exact! I had so many that I didn't know what to do with them. The next weekend my niece and nephew came (ages 4 and 5) and we took every single carnation and tied a smile card to it's stem. We then went to our local Dillions Store and I gave each of them one flower at a time. I explained that these flowers would make other people smile, and then they could take the cards and do something nice for someone else! They loved the idea, but I wasn't sure if they fully grasped the idea. Furthermore, I thought that they possibly might get to shy at the last minute, but boy was I suprised! My nephew ran excitedly through the doors of the store and found the very first lady he lay eyes on! He ran up to her and handed her the flower! Her smile was so big, but his was even bigger!

In no time at all, we neared the end of our bouquet, but there were a few left. My niece took one up to an elderly lady, and then came back to me and as we were walking away she tugged on my sleeve and asked..."Did you see her smile?!" "It was really big."

We left the store with three flowers left, and went to Subway for lunch. The kids saw a woman at the counter and took a flower up to her. She smiled and turned around and said "that just made my day! Thank you guys!"

The final two flowers went to the waitresses at the restaurant! Both of which were really excited to recieve flowers. Later, as we were setting and eating our lunch, one of the waitresses came up to the kids with two giant chocolate chip cookies! She said that they were for them and that she really liked her flower! As they gobbled down the cookies my niece and nephew looked at me with the biggest chocolate covered smiles I had ever seen. My nephew said "being nice is fun!"

It turned out being a great day, not only for myself and my family, but for 40 other random people. We spread a lot of smiles, and the kids learned an important lesson in the process. In fact they can't wait until next time they get to come and visit me, they want to give out more flowers!
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Readers Comments

cindy wrote: That is so great that you are teaching future generations how to love god bless!
happyhomemom wrote: What a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing. What a great memory to form your nieces and nephews lives.
JuneBug wrote: You really spread love around and taught the littles as well! Wonderful idea!!!
Jagdish wrote: Great. Spreading smile through flowers a great idea. You used your bouquets so wisely.
Rishi wrote: That's a simple act that most people find it so hard to do.. You have MADE my day by making me smile.. Thank you.. It's very inspiring ... I'll send flower to my beloved also..
Aurelia wrote: Super Idea. Love how you found away to have fun with your little niece and nephew and teach them a beautiful lesson at the same time! Congratulations on your graduation! Good Luck in the future. ~Aurelia
katndog wrote: I may purchase a bunch of flowers this coming weekend and give them out myself. That is such a great idea! My boss has been talking about giving away coffee and donuts in the morning to our residents as they leave for work. I'm going to encourage her to move forward on that idea. Kindness is such a powerful act. Just reading about other people's kindness is powerful in transmitting feelings as if I were involved, which is why I sought out a site like this, to be inspired and to inspire. Thanks to all who share here today and everyday. You cause my life to be better!
Mary C wrote: Awesome just seeing how something so small could touch so many people so widely
mercurialgirl wrote: What a wonderful way to share the gift of loving and kindness, and pass it on...not only to those who received the flowers, but for another generation! (your neice & nephew)
irongrace wrote: you're never too young to start sharing smiles.

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