Uplifting Mom's Day Thanks to Leo's Greenhouse

This is my first time submitting a letter to Patch. I felt compelled to do so in order to recognize the acts of kindness that occur every day and too often go unrecognized. Please allow me to share my story:

Last Christmas, my brother purchased a gift certificate from Leo’s Greenhouse on Main Road in Tiverton as a gift for our mother. His intention was that, come spring, she would use the certificate for her annual flower purchase. Spring came and along with it the unexpected death of my brother. Our mother expressed to me that she would like to use the certificate to purchase a weeping cherry tree instead. She wanted to use his last gift to her to purchase something that would honor his spirit year after year. 

This past Thursday I stopped by Leo’s and asked Leo if he had a weeping cherry tree for sale. He responded that he would have them in a couple of weeks. I shared my story with him and explained that although it was short notice, my four sisters and I were hoping to have the tree in time for Mother’s Day. He immediately said he would get one. Not only did he come through on his word, he personally delivered it to my mother’s home on Saturday afternoon. 

Words cannot do justice to the impact that this kind deed had on our family. With the passing of my brother occurring so close to Mother’s Day, we anticipated this year’s family gathering to be a somber one. Although our brother was dearly missed on Sunday, the act of planting that tree in his honor and knowing that it was a gift to our mother from him made the day not only bearable but uplifting.   

We all work hard for our money and spending decisions don’t always come easy but I ask you all to consider this story and the personal experience that you gain from choosing a local, family-owned business when making your family's purchasing decisions. It makes a difference to your community.