Millicent’s Legacy: be the Best Charity – Love & a Life Well Lived
On December 25, 2023, I find myself reflecting on the spirit of giving, the joy of sharing, and the beauty of repurposing. I came across an arrangement I designed for Millicent- an old fashioned seasonal theme, with a bird nestled in evergreens. As the founder of Heliotrope for Hospice, a charity that repurposes gently used flowers for hospice patients, I am constantly reminded of the power of small gestures. I want to share a story about my former landlady, Millicent, a woman whose love for life, flowers and plants has been a source of inspiration for me.
Millicent’s Organic Lifestyle & Repurposing
Millicent was a true lover of life and beautiful plants. She surrounded herself with a vast collection of orchids, particularly fond of cymbidiums for her backyard. Her East-facing windows in the sunroom off her kitchen were filled with happy phalaenopsis orchids that bloomed far beyond normal expectations. These plants produced multiple spikes of more than 20 blooms! Millicent laughed, and said it’s the fertilizer, but I believe it was the positive energy in that space.
Born in 1913, Millicent grew up on a farm in Encanto, here in San Diego. She was raised on fresh vegetables & fruit from their garden, and citrus from their trees. This is a woman that still had all her own teeth, straight and strong, at 99 years old! She swore that healthy eating when growing up is the reason! I suppose there must be a genetic advantage somewhere- She lived to 103 years, passing to the next part of life’s journey in 2016.
Millicent’s life is what Influencers of the 21st Century proclaim! She grew up in a generation where organic was the norm, and recycling was paramount. We call it “repurposing”, or “upcycling”, but the buzz words that make it socially acceptable and fashionable to a new generation basically come down to… well, being responsible for our choices, and living with intention. “Less is more” is a good rule of thumb in lifestyle choices (on a side note, in floral design as well!).
A Christmas centerpiece for Millicent
Embracing Life: Lessons from Millicent
How do you live through a CENTURY of advances in technology, revolving politics of each decade, social changes of empowerment and media overload? Millicent embraced life- each precious day. Raising a family, surviving a tragedy, growing a garden, being a friend- every day brought a unique challenge… Each day turned into many years, and I am inspired by her strength to endure and to smile.
So, in this coming New Year of 2024, I look for more time with friends, having “old-fashioned” kinds of conversation, listening, sharing flowers and plants with people in hospice care, and grounding myself in an old woman’s wisdom.
As we step into 2024, remember Millicent’s legacy and consider how we can contribute to the world around us. Whether it’s through a donation of flowers or finances, every little bit helps. If you’re interested in supporting our mission at Heliotrope for Hospice, please consider making a donation. Or feel free to use the yellow Donate button on this page. Your contribution could be one of the best charitable donations you’ve ever made.
I wish you all the time in the New Year, to enjoy life’s simple pleasures- Enjoy these holidays!
A bit of the Season
