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...

At Heliotrope for Hospice, we are often asked, “When do you know when someone will touch your life… when do you know if you touch someone else’s heart?” As a charity that repurposes donated flowers for those in hospice care, we experience these touching moments frequently. A Gift of Sunflowers In 2021, while I was teaching a floral class, a student overheard me mention a Celebration of Life for my mom’s birthday....

As October unfolds, Heliotrope for Hospice, a cherished charity in San Diego, is filled with gratitude. We recently received a generous donation of seasonal plants from Trader Joe’s Hillcrest, a testament to the community’s support for our cause. A Bounty of Seasonal Blooms One of my best contacts for donations, Kris from Trader Joe’s, called with a last-minute request for us to pick up a large donation of plants. From Autumn...

I think it was back in high school when I first read The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, written in 1927. When you come across a message that resonates with your soul, you tend to revisit that yearning. The end of a year to the Beginning of a New Year is such a time. You know, I embrace solitude a little too easily- this poem resets me into the world… and I renew a commitment for desired things in my life. In sharing this poem, I reflect on...

Thanksgiving… a day to give thanks! Gratitude for the present, and for memories that are precious. Each day creates a space in our life, to reflect upon when it passes. We are forever changing, adjusting to what comes next. We read articles, go to yoga, listen to podcasts on how to “Live in the Present”. But are we listening intently, comprehending the sage advice, or just scanning?… you know what I...

School’s out for the summer- I’ve had a chance to catch my breath! Time to focus on some Heliotrope for Hospice’s highlights of the past months. Each week, flowers are delivered to people in hospice care- whether it’s sunflowers, roses, peonies, ‘calandiva’ plants, succulents or whatever I happen to love at Trader Joe’s! But when a major event happens, like the annual Sharp Women’s Health...