[Grill Meister]

I have a memorial bench located across from the Miona Rec Center on Buenavista in rememberance of my wife. Christmas, I placed two poincettias at the bench in celebration of Christmas and to add to the spirit of Christmas. One of the poincettias disappeared.

Last week, I placed two Easter lilies at the bench to celebrate Easter. The next day, both lilies disappeared. Disgruntled, I went to Publix and bought two more Easter lilies and spiked them into the ground next to my wife's bench....just in case the wind had blown the flowers away. Two days later...gone!

I just cannot believe that we have anyone in TV that would steal flowers from a memorial bench. I only hope that someone's mamma was in the hospital and needed to be cheered up and mamma's son or daughter didn't have the money to buy her some flowers so mamma was cheered by my wife's flowers. We would love to donate the flowers for such a cause.

[Linda & Ray]

Please know that as brand new Villagers we were traveling towards lake sumter landing one evening on the cart trail. My husband quickly turned around after he saw 1 lonely Easter Lilly laying tipped over on the ground near the bench. He thought it had fallen off someones cart along the way and picked it up and brought it home. We are truly sorry and can understand how terrible you must have felt seeing the Easter Lilly's disappear. But please understand ours was not an act of disrespect to your memorial. You have our word that the next time we return to the Villages, we will place a flower at your wife's memorial bench.

[GMONEY]

You cant beat that, someone owned up to a honest mistake. so good to hear people will still do that.. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!

[bkcunningham1]

Wow, I was so quick to jump to judgement after reading the original post. I was angry and saddened that someone would take the flowers. I was dreaming up every scenerio that could have happened trying to justify what happened....except what really did happen. Well, at least to one of the lilies.

Linda and Ray, thank you for restoring my faith in humanity. Your honesty about your hubbie making a simple mistake is truely admirable.

Even though it doesn't solve the issue of the other flowers not being present on your dear wife's memorial GILMERMURRAY, I hope Linda's honesty makes you feel better.

[mgm4444]

Originally Posted by Linda & Ray

Please know that as brand new Villagers we were traveling towards lake sumter landing one evening on the cart trail. My husband quickly turned around after he saw 1 lonely Easter Lilly laying tipped over on the ground near the bench. He thought it had fallen off someones cart along the way and picked it up and brought it home. We are truly sorry and can understand how terrible you must have felt seeing the Easter Lilly's disappear. But please understand ours was not an act of disrespect to your memorial. You have our word that the next time we return to the Villages, we will place a flower at your wife's memorial bench.

Linda & Ray - I'm a wanna-be....I WILL get there some day. Now, I'm in a new wanna-be club. You are EXACTLY the kind of neighbor I wanna' be next to when I move there. Your note brought tears to my eyes. You are truly wonderful people. So glad you posted your apology !! God Bless.

[mr and mrs bike]

This is my first post but was inspired to do so because upon reading this I knew which Linda and Ray this is. Without even talking to them I knew it was my brother- in -law and sister- in -law. They are the type of people you want for a neighbor and a friend. As they said it was a mistake and you can be assured they will replace the flowers out of respect when they return.

[bkcunningham1]

Welcome to Talk of the Villages (TOV) mr and mrs bike. You are blessed to have such admirable relatives. It was a mistake anyone could have easily made. Very honorable that sister-in-law of yours. You could read the sincerity in her post.

[graciegirl]

We have a lot of good people in this very good place.

[Pturner]

Linda & Ray, it was very kind of you to let GILMERMURRAY know what happened.

GILMERMURRAY, your memorial for your wife and desire to find a positive explanation for the missing flowers bespeaks a kind and loving heart.

Thank you for the posts. I am so touched.

[Army Guy]

Just my two cents, but could CW be removing them also? I know the intent is good, but I would believe that is a violation of the cov.

Army Guy

[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

Just my two cents, but could CW be removing them also? I know the intent is good, but I would believe that is a violation of the cov.

Army Guy

There is a memorial bench near me here in a park. At holiday time a window box that hooks on the back appears with flowers in it.
Also on Feb 20th, I assume the date the person died. I bet they do that so the park lawn guys don't mess with the flowers.

Just a thought

[mr and mrs bike]

Last year a gentleman wrote of his Memorial bench for his wife and the Easter Lily that was missing . My Brother- in- law and Sister- in -law, Ray and Linda posted they had found the lily and thought that it had fallen off someone's cart. When they read the post and knew they had picked up the missing lily they promised to replace it the next time they returned to The Villages.
True to their word, they returned and put some tulips on the Memorial bench.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by mr and mrs bike

Last year a gentleman wrote of his Memorial bench for his wife and the Easter Lily that was missing . My Brother- in- law and Sister- in -law, Ray and Linda Yarkey posted they had found the lily and thought that it had fallen off someone's cart. When they read the post and knew they had picked up the missing lily they promised to replace it the next time they returned to The Villages.
True to their word, they returned and put some tulips on the Memorial bench.

Dear Ray and Linda,
I love you!

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bike,
Thanks for sharing this heartwarming happy ending.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by mr and mrs bike

Last year a gentleman wrote of his Memorial bench for his wife and the Easter Lily that was missing . My Brother- in- law and Sister- in -law, Ray and Linda posted they had found the lily and thought that it had fallen off someone's cart. When they read the post and knew they had picked up the missing lily they promised to replace it the next time they returned to The Villages.
True to their word, they returned and put some tulips on the Memorial bench.

Your brother and sister-in-laws certainly deserve any and all kudos received for their honesty. At the same time we all know there are others, not quite as honest as Ray & Linda, are who would not have any hesitation to shamelessly take what what they know they are stealing (not finding like Ray & Linda did) and from a place they know it belongs.

May I suggest to anyone who runs into a similar occurance to consider, the next time, donating to a charity they know their loved one supported and do so in their memory instead of doing the flower placement. You not only honor your loved one, but as a bonus you also do somthing good for others at the same time! Again, kudos to Ray & Linda!

[ajdeck]

Originally Posted by Linda & Ray

Please know that as brand new Villagers we were traveling towards lake sumter landing one evening on the cart trail. My husband quickly turned around after he saw 1 lonely Easter Lilly laying tipped over on the ground near the bench. He thought it had fallen off someones cart along the way and picked it up and brought it home. We are truly sorry and can understand how terrible you must have felt seeing the Easter Lilly's disappear. But please understand ours was not an act of disrespect to your memorial. You have our word that the next time we return to the Villages, we will place a flower at your wife's memorial bench.

Now that is what a TRUE Villager is like...


AJ

p.s. Thanks for showing others the way!