Hello Dear Reader,
how are you? I can confirm I am feeling much brighter than last time I wrote, the weather has improved and the clocks change in just a few days. There is hope for warmer times to come.
We have had Valentines day and Mother's day, West Tytherley Village Store offering a wonderfully unique delivery service as always, it is these small details that make all the difference and why it is worth choosing to support local rather than the nationwide stores, no individual cares if you shop with them, but when you support a small business it is noticed by an individual every single time.
That leads me to the point of my ramblings today. I was once talking to someone else in the funeral industry, and I was describing my approach to funeral work, whereby I take time to get to know the loved one through the family and friends, often visiting the family home and have been known to have a cry with the family because I feel their loss and emotions. The person I was chatting to looked horrified, diplomatic enough not to voice an opinion but their face was very clear, they thought I was wildly unprofessional for showing my reaction to their grief, I suppose she thought I should meet other's emotions with stiff upper lip stoicism.
Their response made me sit back on my heels to be honest. I started to question how I was doing things. Is it expected that I just tilt my head to one side, pat them on the shoulder with a "there, there" and hurry them back to the formalities?! That is not me, and not why I feel such privilege in being asked to do funeral arrangements, and I trust people ask me to do their tributes because they know how I feel, I can express sincere compassion and concern, ask questions, get to know the person who has died through the people closest to them, after which, I will do my best to craft a tribute that is considered, individual a true reflection of their loved one that they have lost. It is not just another gig to me, sadly an attitude I have seen from another florist but that is another story for another day.
I feel I should continue along the path that feels right to me, but what do you think? I would genuinely like to hear your thoughts.