Always trying to find ways to express my thanks to her, I once picked up a beautiful fall flower arrangement that I found out in the square downtown, much like these that I saw here today.
I'll never forget the look on her face when I handed it to her, assuming that she would receive it with joy.
In her very proper Czech she said to me, "Have you noticed that there are a lot of flowers in shops and on the squares of towns this month?"
Excited that I understood what she was saying to me, I nodded my head and said yes, that I'd seen so many of them and thought they were beautiful.
She replied, "Those are not for homes. Those are for the cemetery."
At that time I had never heard of "All Saints Day".
I didn't know that November 1st was a church holiday, to remember and visit loved ones who had passed away.
But you can be sure I remembered that in years to come.
And never brought Pani Bobáková a fall flower arrangement again.
On my way home from Ostrava today I stopped by one of the cemeteries in Malenovice, just to take a moment to remember my grandparents who have passed away.
And admire and appreciate the love and care that families here express on All Saint's Day for their loved ones.
One year my mother in law was visiting during the fall and she bought a lovely “arrangement” for our front porch. Oops!!
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