Anonymous:
I'm a florist. A woman came in to cancel her wedding order. "We called it off," she said, monotone. No tears, just shock. She had paid $1,500 upfront. "I know the contract says non-refundable," she said. "I just wanted to let you know so you don't waste the flowers." She turned to leave. I stopped her. "Wait," I said. "The contract is non-refundable for cancellations.
But it says nothing about re-purposing." I loaded up her car with $1,500 worth of roses, lilies, and peonies. "Go to the nursing home down the street," I said. "Hand them out. Make someone smile. Turn the pain into something else." She came back a week later with a thank you card from the residents. She was smiling. Flowers die. Kindness doesn't.