White Chrysanthemums Cheung Chiu Shan

I was in the supermarket this morning, walking past the floral department. There was a beautiful sight of chrysanthemums. The variety of colors was dazzling--- red, white, pink, pale yellow, lilac, gold, and multi-colored.

I have a deep affection for chrysanthemums, flowers that possess not only beautiful colors but also an elegant look.  The petals of chrysanthemums come in many different shapes: some are straight, some slim and curling, and others are like spoons and claws. Chrysanthemums bloom on cold autumn days and early winter. I have no idea why they would be available on a warm, sunny day in Hawaii. Most likely the mums were "forced" into blooming inside greenhouses. The reason why they are here is not important.  As long as chrysanthemums are on display, I would enjoy the pleasant sight and fragrance of my favorite flowers.

The sight of chrysanthemums brings back fond memories of my wedding day in California many years ago.  As a bride, I was supposed to decide on the bridal bouquet. I wanted a traditional bouquet with flowers that were neither stunning nor dramatic. What flowers would be most appropriate for the occasion?   It should be flowers that have special meaning and significance. I chose white chrysanthemum, flowers that represent beauty, elegance, nobility and strong character. I browsed through the magazines with bouquet photos provided by the florist. The bouquets were either too large or too small. Some that appealed to me were not within my estimated budget for flowers. As the wedding date drew nearer, my fiance sat me down one day.

¡§How about I make you a bouquet, one to your specifications and within our budget?¡¨ he said. ¡§Are you sure? You¡¦ve never made a bouquet in your life.¡¨ I answered.      He said, ¡§I could do a drawing of the bouquet and then make the bouquet based on the    drawing.¡¨ ¡§Your idea is fine with me. I would like a cascading bouquet, not too large or too small.     The bouquet should be composed of one kind of flower only, the white chrysanthemum.¡¨ ¡§Anything else?¡¨ ¡§In choosing the ribbon for the bouquet, be sure that the ribbon matches the fabric of the     wedding gown.  One more thing, remember to make two bouquets for the bridesmaids.¡¨ ¡§When will you make the bouquets?¡¨  I asked. ¡§On the morning of the wedding day.¡¨ ¡§You are not serious, are you? Would you have enough time?¡¨  I said. ¡§I would get potted flowering plants from the supermarket early in the morning. Cutting the     stems  and  making the bouquets doesn¡¦t take that long.  Don¡¦t worry.  I have good     artistic sense, and  I know  what I'm doing. " he reassured me.

It was the day of the wedding. As guests and friends waited patiently in the church for the marriage ceremony to begin, the bridegroom arrived in the nick of time with bouquets made from freshly cut flowers. After the wedding, I asked my husband, ¡§What happened?  I was getting worried.¡¨ ¡§The first supermarket I went to didn¡¦t have any white chrysanthemum.  I had to drive for miles, looking for another supermarket to get the potted plants. The extra time needed was unexpected.¡¨

During the reception, I overheard some guests talk about the bridal bouquet. They thought the beautiful flowers really complemented the bride's look. They wondered which florist created the lovely bouquet.  I looked at my husband, my eyes full of gratitude and appreciation.   He looked back and gave me a radiant smile.

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