Earlier this month I was blessed to travel for a week in Alaska with my daughter and son-in-law. I saw breathtaking scenery and fascinating wildlife, and I enjoyed precious family time. But what I want to share with you is the inspiring story of a retired schoolteacher, Ginger Peden, from Springfield, Missouri, who I met while visiting my niece in Fairbanks during the last two days of my journey. When I arrived at my niece Jonelle’s house, Ginger was settled in as a guest visiting her nephew, Jonelle’s husband.
Ginger’s connection with Alaska began in the seventies when her sister, her best friend, moved there when her husband took a job on the Alaskan pipeline. Sadly, her sister died suddenly four years ago. Ginger has no children of her own, but she is determined to keep a close connection with her sister’s children—her niece and three nephews, and their children and grandchildren. She came to Alaska to be with her family as they bury her dear sister.
Ginger and I had plenty of time to chat while the others were working. Speaking with a sweet Southern drawl, she told me about her career as a teacher in Jackson, Mississippi, one of the poorest school districts in the country. She had plenty to share about that era of her life, but the story that captured my attention most was about her flowers. After retiring in Mississippi, Ginger moved to Springfield where she bought a house in the country with lots of room for her to pursue her passion of gardening.
Besides gardening, Ginger loves to travel. She has friends in Greece who she has visited several times, and she has also visited places such as Turkey, Egypt, Hungary, and Bulgaria. The year 2022 wasn’t a good year for her to travel. Her sister was having some serious health issues, and she didn’t want to be too far away from her, so she decided to expand her garden instead.
Ginger wanted to add more zinnia plants, but she couldn’t find any for sale, so she visited a local vegetable farm that recently began to sell flowers. The farmer told her his zinnias needed to be thinned out. He offered her as many plant starts as she wanted for ten dollars. She went home with one hundred. Using the method of turning over the dirt with a shovel her grandfather had taught her back in Mississippi, she extended her garden as far as she could to each side and planted the rest in front of her house. Soon she had beautiful blossoms in shades of yellow, pink, red, orange, violet, and her favorite—peach.
Ginger came up with an idea inspired by a vendor at a women’s flower show who gave away free flowers when the event was over. She and her friends graciously accepted bucketfuls of donated flowers and made bouquets to give away in the community. The response was so positive that Ginger decided to use the flowers in her garden to make bouquets to give away.
Ginger gave the first bouquet to a neighbor who doesn’t get out much. When Ginger knocked on the door, a woman answered wearing pajamas.
“My sister-in-law has terminal cancer and doesn’t have much time left,” she said. She accepted the lovely bouquet and hugged Ginger, “Thank you so much! This cheers me up and makes me feel so much better.”
When Ginger knocked on the next door, a woman answered and said, “Thank you so much! I was just heading up to the nursing home to visit my mother. She will love them,” she said.
“And I will be back tomorrow with a bouquet for you,” Ginger replied.
Their reactions motivated Ginger to make more bouquets. Ginger’s friends got in on her project by saving bottles and jars for her. One friend saves vinegar bottles from her job at a restaurant which are a perfect size for a bouquet. Ginger adds her flowers and greenery and gives them out in the community. She is met with smiles and expressions of appreciation.
The first year Ginger expanded her garden, she didn’t keep track of the number of bouquets she gave out. The next year, 2023, Ginger was thrilled to see that her zinnias had sown themselves, and she had a large crop of volunteer plants. She gave out at least fifty bouquets. This year she has set a goal of one hundred bouquets.
Ginger rarely leaves home without bringing at least one bouquet to give out to someone.
Her flowers find their way to many places. She knocks on doors and gives them to whomever answers, leaves them on porches, and brings them to shut-ins and nursing homes. She also gives them to all the workers—the cooks, waiters, servers, and even dishwashers when she eats at her favorite restaurant. “I have special dietary needs,” Ginger said, and this is my way of thanking them for taking good care of me.”
It was gratifying to Ginger when the cook told her she went home after a long day at work, put the bouquet on the table, lit a candle, and enjoyed a special meal with her family.
“People are so grateful and appreciative,” Ginger said. “It perpetrates me making more bouquets and giving more away. I have so much fun with it. It is just nice to brighten someone’s day and lift their spirits.”
It blows me away to think of how many lives Ginger has brightened with her beautiful flowers. Her generosity and desire to share her flowers is an inspiration to me. I am sure you agree we could all use more people like Ginger in our communities!
*Background image by Alicja J from Pixabay