Hi there, it’s Ken Bolt from Brant Florist and many years ago I went out of town to discuss some floral arrangements with a long-time client who was hosting a big gathering and wanted living decorations for it. Since this person is also a friend, I wanted to go personally and when I do, I never miss a chance to visit the local library since I’m a big fan of ‘real’ books.
So, meeting accomplished and pleasantries exchanged, I headed for the hallowed halls of dusty books. As soon as I walked in the door, I noticed the middle aged woman behind the counter was shaved clean – not a hair on her head.
I didn’t want to stare, so I continued through, knowing my destination, and stopped before climbing the stairs to see another librarian, pushing a car and much younger than the first, going by. Also with a completely bald pate.
At the top of the stairs, I walked onto the floor to see another librarian, this one easily nearing retirement age and also with a shiny bald head. Another, this one perhaps my age and a man, walked to the counter to quietly converse and was also bald as a baby’s bottom.
Unable to curb my curiosity, I went to the counter and asked them what was going on. They both smiled and told me that a daycare and preschool group comes to the library every Thursday afternoon for story time. One of the children, a little girl, had been diagnosed with cancer and had just come back after surgery and beginning chemotherapy. Her long, curly dark hair had all fallen out. Her teacher had called the library to tell them that the girl was coming back and they wanted to read her favourite story during Thursday story time.
All of the library staff, from janitor to administrator, had gone out in turn that morning to have their heads shaved for that little girl.
Unlike flowers, humanity does not fade or wither with time. Despite its age and the weather it endures, humanity always remains in bloom.
Until next time,
Ken Bolt
+1-877-545-5535 (Toll-free voice in the U.S. and Canada)
+1-905-639-7001 (Outside the U.S. and Canada)