F. I. S. L. O. F.

Here's a win for the florists out there.

I visited with a man who had lost his healthy and active 53 year old wife to a massive stroke this week. A tragedy in every sense, the two of them were skiing in Vermont, having a great time. She got to the bottom of a run, collapsed, and the stroke took her life in a matter of days.

Nevertheless, the husband has a great heart and an energetic sense of humor which came to the surface when he was working with family to orgranize the obituary. Someone asked him about memorial donations, and his immediate response was something like, "F**k it, she deserves lots of flowers," which he ended up turning into the phrase, "F**k it--send lots of flowers."

Well the local newspaper will not reprint such language but he decided to include an acronym version of the phrase in the final obituary to honor the moment. Near the end it will read, "Instead of memorial donations F.I.S.L.O.F." If someone asks what the acronym means, we will tell them "flowers inspire--send lots of flowers," though a few will know the F.I. really stands for "F**k it."

Sometimes it's the simple things which create meaning and memory in the midst of tragedy. You have to stay open to the possibilities.

A wonderful little story, if you know a florist, pass it along.

Comments

[Tracy D'Amico - Rose Garden Florist]

Thank you for telling this story - when I see FISLOF, I will think of this man, and the true beginning. Maybe, just maybe, it will become as common as ILOF!

[Kim Stacey]

Charming, and so profound. Flowers are such an important link to the divine, and that's why we love them so. Certainly, she, and all of us, deserve an abundance of flowers - not just at such a time, but every day! I buy fresh flowers for my home and office every week - $15 a week buys me untold hours of pleasure, and sustains me as if I'd eaten a fine meal.

F.I.I.D.F.!

(F*** it, I deserve flowers!)

[Daman]

I salute the man and his sense of humor.Great reading.

[Funeral Flowers]

Very funny lovely story!