My Easter Cemetery Cross Surprise

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. Every spring I decorate my front porch with huge hanging baskets of cascading flowers.

This particular Easter, I got quite the surprise. Scott had taken the kids out to buy me Easter flowers. I enjoyed the time at home and read the paper, sipping coffee in peace. Shortly, they enthusiastically arrived with my gift. I could hear the girls chattering as they walked in the door. “Oh, Mom is going to love this! It’s so beautiful!”

They marched into the house like Medal of Honor recipients. Scott followed the troops and led me to the front porch. I had no idea what to expect. Did they buy tulips, lilies, or daffodils? I was really hoping he bought me those huge hanging baskets for my front porch. He made me close my eyes and guided me out the front door. When I opened my eyes, I was definitely surprised!

There on the front porch stood a four foot cross, wrapped in green and cream colored flowers. There were peach roses, breath taking lilies, pink and white silk flowers flowing from the center. It had a stand behind it, with metal legs to push into the grass. He’d bought me a cemetery cross! He had no idea that it belonged on plot number 216 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

“Anne, look at this,” he said proudly. “It’s perfect for out back near the deck, too. The best thing is you can pick it up and carry it to wherever you are sitting.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth, so I just smiled and agreed that this was a perfect Easter present. “I never would have thought of this myself,” I said honestly. The kids were clapping their hands and bouncing with excitement that I loved my gift.

When my parents came over, Scott showed them my new flowers. My mom whispered, “Who died?” My dad was intrigued at the portability of my arrangement. I signaled to my mom be quiet and not to laugh aloud. We sat in the family room after dinner, and Scott sent the kids out to bring the flowers in so we could enjoy them. They had a place of honor near the fireplace.

My dad asked, “Scott, where did you find these? I have to get Bette some next year.” My mom went pale.

Scott proceeded to tell my dad that they must be very popular because there were about fifty to choose from. “I bought Anne the biggest one because I know how much she loves flowers. They look so real, you’d never know they were silk. It’s like having a portable garden,” Scott said proudly and bent the green leaves upward for the full effect. “The guy said they’ll last for eternity.” I gulped.

“You can almost smell their fragrance!” my dad piped in.             “Scott, this was a very thoughtful gift,” my mom said honestly. Scott puffed his chest out proudly once again.

A few months later, we had to attend a funeral and that’s when Scott noticed the flowers at another grave site. He nudged me and asked, “Did you see those flowers? They look just like your Easter flowers!”

Again, I didn’t have the heart to tell him; they not only looked like my flowers, they were identical, except that they dwarfed mine. I leaned in and told him, “Mine are so much prettier. They are nothing like those.” He smiled proudly.

I love this man!