Flowers or Chocolate...

[Cheryl Haggard]

After Maddux died, we received lots and lots of flowers and plants. Now, don't get me wrong, and please don't take what I am going to write the wrong way, but that's what people do when someone dies, they send flowers.

I used to love flowers. (note the word used...read on...) Please know, I appreciated every note and gift of sympathy. But the smell of the flowers got to be soooooo strong. They literally made me sick to my stomach. I had to ask my sister in law to get rid of them all. ( I literally could not do it.) Then, on Mother's Day, my husband gave me a beautiful display of flowers. The smell of those beautiful flowers, brought me right back to the time that Maddux died. ALL of the memories. (I love looking at flowers, just not smelling them anymore. )

One of the best comforts we received after Maddux died, was a gift box from MRS FIELDS COOKIES. From our friends, the Pepe Family. Lot's of cookies and chocolate. (did you know that chocolate is a comfort food?) My kids loved it.

Another wonderful gesture was from my husband's best friend and his family, the Brown's. They asked if they could make a donation, to our choice of organizations, in Maddux's name. I said yes.

Both of my childrens classroom parents, got together with other parents, and put together little care packages for each of our children. What a WONDERFUL GESTURE!!! Even the PTA sent us a basket of goodies.

So, where am I going with this? As a grieving parent, who better to bring up these small subjects? I would like to hear from other parents, and their thoughts.

When wondering what you can do for a grieving family, think of some of the things above. Try to think "outside" the box. And know that a simple card, or a warm hug is just as great as chocolate!

These flowers are Beautiful, though! Aren't they?