By David Blair

When I was a stay-at-home mom，there were times I wished I could buy some beautiful flowers，but the money that they would cost was needed in the home．When I walked into town with the family，my youngest daughter， Lily， would always carry a flower stem（花梗）．That's how she got the nickname “Stick Girl”．

One day when we passed the flower lady with Lily，the flower lady smiled at her and said， “Come here．I have something for you．”She handed her a beautiful flower．Lily dropped the stem and held on to that flower until we came back home．We placed it in water and enjoyed the beauty of that flower along with the feelings of warmth and kindness from the flower lady．

My neighbors would run to her to get a bouquet of flowers whenever they wanted to，and I used to give directions（为人指路） using the flower lady．I would say，“Walk for three blocks．You'll see the flower lady．Turn right at that street．”

My mom visits me each year．On her first summer visit this year， she looked at me and asked， “Where's the flower lady？”

I had no idea．The flower lady had been an icon（偶像）for me for 16 years，but now she wasn't there any more．

I went on a search and soon found her in another spot， at the Harbor Loop．I was glad to see her and I had to tell her that she was missed！

I have a garden which I admire very much now．Every time I see those bright colors when I come home after a day of work，I remember the generosity of a dear old lady whom I only know as the flower lady．