Bloom Effect

Bloom Effect has moved - to California!
We will continue with our mission, delivering complimentary bouquets to those in hospice and seniors who need a smile.
As we make roots in Martinez, we are looking for partners to supply us with flowers.
Do you know a Bay Area flower farmer or florist, a friend or neighbor with a bountiful garden?
Appreciate any connections you might be able to initiate!💐

When I first started seeing patients, and would walk into their home, meeting them for the first time, I would always say, "How are you today?" The usual response was shrugged shoulders, a blank stare or an, "I'm fine," which I knew was not the case. One day, I received a response that changed things for me, a woman said to me, "how do you think I am doing, I am dying." I never asked that question again.

"How are you?" is so easy to ask, and something we all say, especially when we do not know what to say. I have been thinking about what to say to someone who is grieving, and I think "how are you?" might elicit that same response. "How do you think I am, I am feeling broken today."

I reached out to a woman yesterday (via text), who had walked the path of grief for three months, knowing she was not doing well, wanting so badly to say "the right thing" but having no idea what that might be... so I said, "I was thinking about your heart today, and thought it could use a hug." She responded back, "it could always use a hug." I asked if I could call her, she said yes, and I spent an hour on the phone with her, just listening and letting her share. It was good for her, and it was good for me.

I think most people want to let someone else know they are not alone and that they are cared about while navigating a difficult time. Whether it is illness or grief, think about what and how you say something to someone... and imagine the difference it could make if you really put some thought into it.

And if you can't think of "the right thing" to say, which is often my own struggle, simply say, "I am thinking about you and I am here if you need me."

xo
Gabby

I talk a lot about all the pesticides and fungicides hitching a ride on your imported flowers and their potential effects on the globe, climate, florists, and you. But what I haven't addressed yet is the effects these toxic chemicals have on the people who live in floriculture regions: children, in particular.

A study conducted in 2018 in areas of floriculture in Ecuador (the world's third largest producer of cut flowers) found that children experienced altered short-term neurological behaviors prior to peak Mother's Day flower production and up to 100 days following harvest. Even scarier, is that these effects were seen in children who did not work in agriculture themselves, but simply lived in floriculture regions. This illustrates the far-reaching and serious effects of the application of these chemicals for the populations around the areas of cut flower production.

Children studied immediately following flower harvest for Mother's Day exhibited lower performance on most neurological measures, including visuospatial processing and hand-eye coordination. So in addition to the long-term damaging effects of repeated exposure to these chemicals, including cancers, pesticide spray seasons also produce altered short-term mental functions in children, potentially affecting their learning and performance abilities in school.

Sourcing locally and in-season is always going to result in the flowers with the lowest carbon footprint and pesticide use (though you should check with your farmer about their use of chemicals in production, most local flower producers use minimal, if any, toxic chemicals in production)

🌸Buy directly from your farmer or ask your florist to source locally or to source Rainforest Alliance certified (working to develop sustainability requirements for flower farms in South America)
🌸Florists: Ask your wholesaler to start labeling and giving better information about where their products come from and to source more locally/sustainably
🌸Wholesalers: Make a better effort to source sustainably and provide better labeling

For any of you out there providing care for someone else... please, take time out for YOU! It took me a long time before I realized just how important this is. Burnout is a very real thing, and if you do not practice self care, you will wear down and you won't be of any good to anyone.

Whether you are professionally providing care or you are taking care of a family member, friend or neighbor... first of all, THANK YOU for the work you are doing... and now listen to me... PRACTICE SELF CARE. This is me getting all up in your grill because I care about YOU.

Phew... really glad we had this conversation :)
xo
Gabby
❤