Flora-
You have been an institution in our household, our business, our lives, and our family since the very beginning. Anyone that means anything to us, knew you by name and came to love you just as we do immediately upon meeting you. And there is so so so much to love about you. You are a devoted friend, a selfless mother, a diligent and reliable worker, and one of the strongest most positive women I’ve ever known. For three days a week for the past 10 years I’ve known you, one thing I could always count on was your smile. There was not one time that you came into our home with less than a positive attitude, and that positivity was infectious. You actually made me feel like you were my biggest fan, which to tell you the truth, wasn’t far off. You really were, and it meant the world to me. It was impossible to be in a bad mood around you, and the littlest things brought you so much joy. Your favorite Starbucks- a mocha cookie crumble elicited the greatest response, one might have thought you were just gifted a car. That happy dance was our favorite of all time with your small hopping up and down and clapping accompanied by the biggest grin, it was a telltale sign of your joy. You also were similarly impressed and amused by the littlest things. I could’ve been showing you a toad from the back yard and I can still hear your voice saying “ah ss’ cuteeeee!”. There was just so much love and life in your tiny little body. I think it was only for a month when you took a break from working at the house while we were making the transition post baby Bode. Greg and I would frequently exchange glances in our house lacking your presence we were so accustomed to, and all we could do was shake our heads and say.. “we gotta get flora back”. Life wasn’t the same without you, our house felt like less of a home. We knew that you were the common thread. Now as we lose you for the second time, all we can hold onto are reminders of you everywhere we look around the house, and the pitterpatter of the boys feet sound oddly familiar to yours (and actually similar in size). Although our home still carries the quiet of your loss, I pray that our memories of you never fade. You have changed our lives forever and we will always carry you in our hearts, rest easy our sweet flower.