In the week proceeding Mother’s Day, we made a valiant attempt to find a florist who was willing to make 85 corsages for the lovely ladies of our home, many of them mothers. Our efforts seemed to fall through over and over—a promise would be made that the florist could handle the order and then a short time later we would receive a call saying that unfortunately our request had to be turned down! One reason after reason was cited for the refusal: lack of flowers, not enough help, etc. After receiving the third call telling us they couldn’t handle 85 corsages on Thursday, the florist did in fact offer us 85 carnations, free of charge. We accepted his offer and so not to disappoint our ladies, decided to set up shop in the convent and make our own!
Late on Friday morning, we ventured out to Wilson’s Farms to pick up our carnations when they called and told us they were ready. After purchasing a large amount of fern, and baby’s breath we stopped by our local florist, Murphy’s Florist operated by Tom Murphy to ask if he had any floral paper he could donate to us. Mr. Murphy has always been most willing to help us out and gave us what we needed and more! Inquiring about our project, we told him what we were doing. Learning we were about to attempt to turn 85 white carnations into corsages, he asked us to wait a moment. He disappeared into the rear of his shop and returned a moment later with an armful of delicate lavender flowers. He told us to add these to the corsage and it would offset the white of the flowers. Now well equipped with everything we needed, we returned home. After finishing our dinner, we set to work. A long table had been set up and covered with our work materials. We worked in teams, some making bows, some assembling corsages, some putting the finishing touches on the corsages. We began our project approximately 1:45 pm and by 2:30, some of the Sisters were required to return to their units where duty called! A small team stayed on to the end and an afternoon of cutting, wrapping and tying was not without fruit. By 5:00 pm we had assembled our 85 corsages and stored them away in the cooler to await Mother’s Day! Many hands make light work and many hands made this project a possibility and brought it to a successful conclusion! – Sr Mary Vincent
