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Kindness in a Flower Shop

Retirement Reflections

Earlier this week, I ordered flowers from Floral Images in Guelph, Ontario, to be delivered to a relative in the area. The relative had recently moved, and I did not have the address, but I was able to get it from another family member. Neither of us had our relative’s phone number in Ontario, so I used my own.
The online ordering process was seamless (Google even filled in the city, province and postal code for me). This is where a series of errors (all my own doing) began.

Shortly after I placed my order, I received a call from the florist who wondered why I wished to send flowers from Ontario to BC when I lived in BC. Great question. In my haste, I had failed to realize that Google had filled in my own city and postal code for the flower delivery. The owner was extremely kind, fixed my error and said she would send the flowers the following day. I said that if no one was home, please leave them on the porch (as I still did not have the phone number).

Enter mistake #2. The flower shop owner called me back bright and early the next morning to say that the person who received the flowers was not my relative, did not know my relative and apparently, my relative had never lived there. The owner was still extremely kind and said that she would have the flowers picked up and redelivered as soon as I provided the correct address, and she politely requested that I try to get my relative’s valid phone number.
I scrambled, got the necessary details, and sent them to her.

The following morning, one of the owners called again and said they had received the correct address and now had a new plan.

The owners had contacted the mistaken recipient of the flowers and told her to enjoy them (for free). They then generously offered to make up a fresh flower arrangement and send it to my relative that day, also for free.
I had to pause on the phone to ensure I had heard correctly. I had made the mistake, and the flower shop owners were making everything right at their own expense. They knew the flowers were sent in sympathy and offered my family their sincere condolences.


The flowers have since been received, and I have heard back from my relative, who said they brought the first smile to her face that she had had in days. She added that the arrangement was beautiful.







In a world where kindness sometimes feels scarce, this experience with Floral Images was incredibly uplifting.
My sincere appreciation goes to the mother and son owners of this extraordinary flower shop.

Floral Images
68 Dehli Street
Guelph, Ontario
N1E 4J7
(519) 823-0691


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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

83 thoughts on “Kindness in a Flower Shop”

    1. Ironically, my husband and I were just talking about the inherent goodness of people (or not). As Richard is an avid news watcher, his belief in man’s inherent goodness has been shaken. I had taken a pro stance and was delighted to have my beliefs reinforced in such an uplifting way. ❤

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  3. Now that is awesome kindness. My daughter worked for a local florist who was a high school friend of mine. My girls loved the job and it was so nice to Judy. Fast forward a decade or so, when my daughters were getting Judy, noe retired, jumped at the opportunity to be the florist. She went beyond and above, searching special flowers, went through my mom’s rose garden and colorful greenery, just awesome energy incredibly kind and all over wonderful. Florists are wonderfully kind people

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      1. Yes all good here! Still making the beef heart treats for the shelter dogs. Enjoy your blogs so much. All the best to you and Richard.

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  5. Hi Donna – what a fantastic story about kindness – and it tied in so well with what I wrote this week about the same subject. It’s so rare for people to go so far above and beyond good service – I hope you’re also giving them a great Google and FB review – that always helps a business. I love a feel good story to start my morning 🙂

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  6. Donna, this story absolutely warmed my heart! At first I thought the shop owner was merely gifted at customer service, but by the end, yes— so so kind as well! Thanks for sharing this!

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  11. Donna,
    What a fabulous customer service story! It’s people like the owners of the flower shop that make the world a better place for us all. I’m certain that all of your readers are sending best wishes for their continued success. Thanks!

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  12. Hi Donna, I agree with you and all your other commenters What a great great story about the kindness and generosity of some people. And it continues to remind me that the majority of people in this world really are good and that kindness exists everywhere. ~Kathy

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    1. Hi, Bernie – You’ve written many thought-provoking posts about the negative news that surrounds us (and I agree with your thoughts in those posts). Kindness is all around us. We need to ensure that we share these good news stories whenever we can. ❤

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  14. Hi Donna, this made me smile as I read through your post. How lovely of the owners to do that and such care given at such a sad time. Makes you believe there is good in the world after all, thanks for bing so kind and sharing the story too!

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  16. A memorable story about human kindness, which everyone recognised. Now I also think that flowers themselves consist of kindness.

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  18. That sort of great customer service will serve them well. People remember these things. I had a similar experience with Vistaprint. Where I made a mistake with the delivery address and they replaced the order for free. Thanks for sharing this and I’m glad the family member received the flowers and that they made her happy. ❤️

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    1. Hi, Darlene – I love Vista Print and have always been impressed by their fast and efficient service. It’s funny how poor customer service can dominate the news making us think that it is dominanting in reality. It was wonderful reconnecting with this family member again.

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  20. Hi Donna – how amazing – people are extraordinary aren’t they – just so generous and thoughtful. This reminded me of my trip to a supermarket when I couldn’t pay – a chap offered to pay for me – Pay It Forward he said … so I went to Volume One, the book store in Duncan – and bought a $100 voucher for the Arcadian Early Learning Centre – it was an extraordinary time – I was so lucky. I posted about it in May 2018 … your experience of these wonderful people in Ontario made me remember and count our blessings we’re amongst friends. Delightful post … thank you – so cheering – Hilary

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  21. What a wonderful feel-good story, Donna. I’m in the same category as Richard right now, seriously questioning the good in mankind. This has been a wonderful antidote to a pervasive feeling that generally people suck. You’ve demonstrated that there are wonderful people out there in the world. They walk among us 💕

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    1. Your well-written comment made me smile (Richard too). I have always been a firm believer in inherent human goodness. But experiences like this one went beyond even my hopes. I have now made it my mission to seek out, and shout out, acts of kindness I see around me. Richard has been forewarned! 😀

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  22. I’m not surprised. I spent several years working in a flower shop and you would be surprised at how often people want to send flowers but don’t know the correct address, phone number and sometimes even the last name of the person receiving them. (Think a guy who met someone the night before.) We did a lot of detective work!

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    1. Thanks, Jill – Our world is definitely filled with kindness. It just sadly goes under-reported….and sader still under-noticed. We all have the power to change this. You change this regularly with your wonderful stories that highlight human goodness.

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  25. What a heart-warming story, Donna! I’m so happy how this problem was resolved and to discover that there are still genuine and kind business owners in this world. I’m sure and I hope they will receive many repeat customers with that approach and service!!!

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    1. Thanks, Liesbet – I’m not sure if I have any readers in Guelph, but I do in the surrounding areas. And I have shared my review on the flower shop’s site as well as Google Reviews. I have learned from you and others the importance of a thoughtful review.

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  28. This is a lovely story. What a wonderful floral shop to go out of its way to help you like this. Kindness is still out there, rearing its helpful head when you lest expect it.

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  29. What a beautiful story on so many levels, Donna! 💕Also, funny…I can see how it all could and did happen. The exceptional acts of kindness brought tears. Thank you for highlighting ‘the good’ …. Possibly not scarce…just does not made the headlines and the media.💕 Erica

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  31. This is a wonderful story of kindness in what seems like a world of darkness at the moment. What a wonderful florist business. This story highlights why we should try to support small independent businesses as they usually go above and beyond and really care about their customers

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  35. What a touching story, Donna. Thanks for sharing it. In this troubled world, it’s good to be reminded that there are kind people and those companies who still go the extra mile to provide exceptional service.

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  36. This is such a wonderful story, Donna. The flower shop and its owners were incredibly kind as you said. They went above and beyond to make sure the delivery got to your relative. They probably didn’t see it all as your fault – probably felt it was frustrating for you and wanted you to feel your best. Sometimes we get hard on ourselves for small things. Hope your relative is doing well. Times can be hard and the least we can do is be kind and compassionate to each other 😊❤

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  37. A tale well told, Donna! I was riveted throughout, with surprises to boot! Your florist really went above and beyond! And you’re right, in this day, we could really use more encounters with service providers like Floral Images.

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    1. Hi, Ju-Lyn – Thank you so much for stopping by. The kindness from that flower shop proved to be quite contageous. That’s one of the many cool things about kindness – its uplift often continues to spread and spread!

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