March 20: Flower arrangements

One sure way to lose another woman's friendship is to try to improve her flower arrangements. Marcelene Cox

This cute little flower arrangement sitting in a window at work reminded me of a floral art competition in the town hall my mother entered me in when I was about 9. I painstakingly arranged my flowers as my mother had shown me, and was so proud of the result. We all had to leave the room for the judges to make their decisions, and when I returned later, SO sure that I would have won something because my arrangement was just SO beautiful, I discovered that it didn't look anything like I had created, and some of my flowers were in my best friend's (at the time) arrangement. I was SO disappointed! And of course, I didn't win anything because I had great big gaping holes in mine. Well, that was one of the first lessons in friendship, trust, and being a good loser, despite all else. I didn't think I held grudges...but the thought of it still makes me mad to this day! I am still friends with her...but not besties! I remember my mom saying that clearly mine must have been the most beautiful, and my friend obviously just couldn't bear to loose to me! Mothers, wish they could live forever!