[WombToBloom]

As many of you know, Heather and her family experienced a significant tragedy last week. Today, we received a bouquet of flowers from Andrew's and Michael's school sending prayers and saying that they were sorry for our loss.

Very sweet and Heather loved the gesture!

But when I was asked by the flower shop what had happened, I was taken aback a bit. I wasn't sure I heard her right and said, "Pardon?".

She replies, "Did she lose a parent or something? It says 'Sorry for your loss'."

I didn't know what to say! Do I explain what happened for the umpteenth time or do I just say, "No, it wasn't a parent." Being the nice guy that I am I didn't tell her to mind her business and I simply explained that it was a long sad story.

I doubt getting probing questions like this is common with flower delivery, but then, I don't get a lot of flowers. So I'll ask my wonderful forum ladies...this isn't typical, right?

Should we expect things like, "So what'd you do? It says Thank You." Or, "What's wrong with you? It says Get Well Soon".

Personally, I thought it was out of line but I can see the humor in almost anything.

[taraNKH]

hmmm, yeah, I don't think that they are supposed to be nosy like that. I could be wrong, but I have never had the flower delivery person ask!

[journeybirth]

Um, yeah, no lol. Not cool. I used to deliver flowers in high school and my boss actually told me not to ask any questions lol. How odd of her!

[Chelziee]

Ok this is just me, but I would have said.
"Im sorry are you supposed to read the cards? Or was that just something you just took upon yourself?" and then I probably would have followed it up with, "I'm sure I can sort this out with the owner of your shope." Some times you just have to be frank with people and let them know you need your privacy. When I had my son I had a few flowers sent to my house, and my mother in law makes it a point to send flowers on my birthday every year, but only one has said "Happy Birthday" but it was the Happy Birthday flower set so I was not bothered. lol man I would have went all mama bear dont you take away my privacy from me.

[MrsAshley]

Before I read about the tragic, tragic story I thought of what I would do if I were the flower lady. I wouldn't open the card and read it, that's just rude! ...but it if was on the outside of a card or perhaps a balloon I would offer my sympathy in the form of a question. A lot of times people want to talk about what's bothering them, even to perfect strangers. After reading the post my heart is broken and I can feel the same anger you felt. God be with the remaining family!

[advocatemom]

Her approach was inappropriate, but I think she wanted to talk about it. She may have known what happened before she asked. Perhaps she had already read your blog.

We are not trained to talk about uncomfortable things. I think I would have told they lady something like, "Three members of my wife's family were murdered in an act of domestic violence." Honest, matter of fact, no details.

It is hard to discuss things that society doesn't want to talk about. But, if it is important to you to bring awareness to a subject, then your family's personal story is a powerful tool. You can practice telling it to all kinds of people, like the flower lady, so when you have the chance to share it with someone with a lot of influence, like a legislator, you will be comfortable doing so.

[anitagrace2]

i think this is a good discuss about this topic.i like it.