Thanks with a Bunch of Flowers

By Klaus Döring

We look to the beauty of flowers to signify some of life’s memorable milestones—to celebrate a birthday or a wedding, congratulate the birth of a baby, a graduation or a new job; as a symbol of strength when someone is sad or not feeling well, to let them know we are thinking of them.

Well, this won’t happen every day and needs a special reason indeed.

Flowers have been a very popular way of conveying love and appreciation for a long time. Accompanied by these flower quotes, a sweet, fragrant bouquet would be adored by your girl a lot. Indeed, it is one of the best gifts to give to a loved one because it represents romance and love.

You’d agree that understanding the different aspects of life isn’t a walk in the park. Thus, sometimes the best way to get through life successfully without a manual is to see the positive in everything, even when it’s so hard, bitter or cruel.

In the same vein, life is as beautiful as flowers, especially when, no matter what life throws at you, in your optimism you still see life as a beautiful collection of moments—like a bunch of flowers in a bouquet, unique and beautiful.

Just this morning, one of my good friends voiced out, “I didn’t get a lot of thanks for doing it.” Honestly, nowadays it’s really difficult to get even a simple thank you.

“Being in the making means being thankful forever!” What a meaningful quotation in German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s drama Faustus from 1831—but how very far away from today’s reality.

When did you, my dear reader, say THANK YOU recently? I don’t mean it as in a disgracing phrase, no, but such as an honest attitude, to which we are all susceptible.

“The Pharisee stood apart by himself and prayed: … God, I thank you that I am not like that (corrupt?) tax collector over there!” (Luke 18:11). “What’s more transient than gratitude?” asked the German poet Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) in his drama Don Carlos.

Gratitude or thankfulness in our daily surroundings: many times it’s just forgotten because we treat sacrifices, services and even the smallest relief without saying it as only natural and take it as a matter of course.

Many of our leaders on Earth forgot that they only got their position because of our trust and voting. Thankfulness? For goodness’ sake, just let’s be patient and wait for it. I even couldn’t care less if the grumpy taxi driver isn’t able to say a simple “thanks” after I paid my fare, including a small tip.

Beniamino Gigli (1890–1957), a member of a church choir who studied singing/chanting in Rome and who performed on most known stages and in concert halls in Italy and later in North America and the whole world, and became a legitimate successor of the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso, expressed this:

“After 41 years, when I said goodbye to my stage performances, I found this: Me, the son of a poor Italian shoemaker, could enjoy all sweet fruits of success and popularity. Kings and presidents became my friends. Millions of people gave me their appreciation and applause. But, I know very well that everything is a gift of God: MY VOICE. I have never forgotten to thank Him for this.”

Having a claim on something, jealousy and envy are a real sibling trio, which plans to settle down in the place of the forgotten gratitude to say THANK YOU. Only those who know how to thank are able to praise the Lord.

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook or LinkedIn or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.