When Weeds Become Centerpieces

 Long years ago when my family lived in South Dakota, my dad was entranced with the way someone went out and collected dried flowers and weeds from fields and roadsides to add to pictures and sell. He had us children go with him at times to help collect pretty dried weeds to try to do the same thing.

So when we knew he didn't want us spending money for flowers for his memorial service, a couple of us decided we would instead send some nieces and nephews out to the edges of their properties to try to find some pretty dried grasses or flowers or plants to make dried bouquets instead of fresh to decorate the tables at Wilson Memorial Center for the meal afterward. 

And the bouquets would all be free! 

Joella had Mason jars that we used, which the girls decorated with pieces of ribbon, raffia, or burlap bows. 

 I purchased some miniature chalkboards to which we clipped a few of Dad's common quotes or advices or photos. 

This one above was one Joella remembered Dad often saying, "A Christian is either up or getting up."

For this centerpiece I had found an old red jalopy pickup at Hobby Lobby, which reminded me of Dad's many old jalopies through the years, and his love of living in the country. 

When we children were very young, Dad tried his hand at photography, learning to develop all his own pictures, all of which were black and white at that time. He built his own "dark room." 

I also bought this little painted decoration at Hobby Lobby--"Forgiven." It was precious to me.

Joella chose to purchase a bundle of wheat instead of flowers, which she put together with a chalkboard with the verse, "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not."

She thought of the many good things Dad has reaped, especially a Christian family, 

eight of which were present at the memorial service. 

Sam's church in Colorado sent in this beautiful bouquet as well. 

 

But beneath the bouquet of flowers is the most important bouquet of all, a family photo of all the Morley clan who had gathered only four months earlier to celebrate Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary. 

Although per Dad's own request we had to resort to dried weeds for centerpieces, in memory of a man who was a misfit in society and who had a heart for the down and out--

wife, children, spouses, and grands were Dad's memorial bouquet.

And what an amazing bouquet that is!