Ami’s Review

With flowers blooming all around us, and gardens starting to sprout, it seemed like a good time to review a book about flowers. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a gorgeous, important story that will appeal to every flower-loving, flower-growing, flower-giving person or, of course, anyone who just loves an excellent read.

My love for this story goes beyond my love for flowers though. It is also a story about aging out of foster care. Having worked in social work and numerous group homes, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggle these kids have and the love they continue to desire. As these kids get older and harder to place in forever homes, they’re often left alone and unprepared to face their futures. Many are still yearning for the love of a family even as they enter adulthood, just like the main character in The Language of Flowers.

But I digress, onto the story!

In the Victorian age, flowers were each given a meaning to convey expressions: white carnations symbolized purity, chrysanthemums meant you’re a wonderful friend, and daffodils meant chivalry and unrequited love. But over time, the language of flowers has become lost for more modern ways to express yourself.

For one girl though, communicating through flowers is the only way she knows how to express her feelings. Victoria Jones has spent her childhood in foster care, and it has left its mark, leaving her unable to trust or get close to anyone else. Her antiquated knowledge of flowers and their meanings is the one way she feels connected to her world and able to communicate with others.

When she turns eighteen and is emancipated from the foster care system, she finds herself without a plan and with nowhere to go. A kind stranger recognizes Victoria’s unusual gift with flowers, and offers her a job in a flower shop. Here she learns that the flowers she picks for her customers, based on their needs and the floral meanings, start to have an impact. And one particular person seems extra eager to accept the flowers she chooses for him. Will Victoria’s language of flowers be enough to save her from her past, and open up the doors to a new, brighter future where she can finally learn to trust, and maybe even love?

This is such a wonderful story, and I hope that outside of being an enjoyable read, it will expand your knowledge and compassion for kids in the foster system, and how a little bit of kindness and support can go a long way in the lives of these precious, sometimes damaged, kids who still only want love.

The Language of Flowers is on the shelf now at Totally BOOK-ish.

A portion of all sales of this book will go towards Cyrus Centre.

June 16

2024 GALLERY APPLICATION

DEADLINE. The Mission Arts Council is currently accepting applications for our 2024 gallery exhibition calendar. If you are an artist, interested in a solo or group exhibition our application is available on our website, or at the Mission Arts Centre. Deadline for application is June 16, 2023. 604-826-0029 or www.missionartscouncil.ca

Father’s Day Paint Party FUNraiser with Donna’s Creative Haven, 6:30pm, 33428 Harbour Ave. Ticket $55, includes all supplies fo a ‘Fathers on the Water’ painting as well as a plate of teatime goodness! Funds raised go to Soroptimist “Live Your Dream” Awards. For more information, 604-864-7520 www.donnascreativehaven.ca

June 16, 17, 18

Summit ET Bracket Drag Race #8 & #9 Featuring the NHRDA Diesels on The Titanium Strip Fri Test and Tune 10am-4pm. Diesel qualifying 5-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-6pm, Mission Raceway. Weekend Pass $40, Kids 12 + under free with a paid adult. missionraceway.com

June 19

Free Kids Fit class, 6:15 - 7pm, 32860 Cherry Ave. Ages 6 to 12, parents must be in attendance. Register at https://cedarvalleyrec.eventbrite.ca

June 17

Dunsmuir Neighbourhood Association Annual Block Party, 12 - 4pm, Tenth Ave Culde-Sac. More info: https://dunsmuirneighbour.wixsite .com/my-site-3

June 17

Beginners Wire Wrapping, 23:30pm, 33130 1st Ave. To register call 604-302-7550 www.thenaturalworldcrystals.ca

June 17 - September 2

Deroche Farmers Market, every Saturday,10am-2pm, FVRD Community Centre,10220 N. Deroche Rd. Derochefarmersmarket.ca

June 18

Old Car Sunday – presented by the Mission Firefighter’s Charitable Society, 10am - 4pm, Fraser River Heritage Park

Father’s Day, 11am - 3pm, Kilby Historic Site, 215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills. Kilby.ca / 604796-9576 / info@kilby.ca

June 21

Solstice Family Walk and Bonfire, 7 - 9pm, Mill Pond10969 Dewdney Trunk Rd. mission.ca/events, 604-8205350

BCDA Open Drift Night. Gates open 4pm. Drifting runs 5-9pm, Mission Raceway. Spectators/ $15, Kids 12 and under free with paid adult. Pay at the gate.

June 22

Falls Prevention, 8:30am - 4pm, Lifetime Learning Centre, 32444 7th Ave. Call Fraser Health to book your spot

June 26

Free financial literacy program for youth, 6- 9pm, 32860 Cherry Ave. Contact stefanyt@uwbc.ca

June 29 - July 2

Doorwarz11 powered by Titanium Autogroup! Featuring the West Coast Pro Modifieds, Top Fuel Harley, West Coast Outlaws, Canada West Doorslammers and more! Weekend Pass $60/person, kids 12 and under free with a paid adult! See missionraceway.com under the events tab for details! Tickets available: showpass.com

July 1

Canada Day at Heritage Park, 8am-3pm, Fraser River Heritage Park, mission.ca/events or frhpevents@mission.ca

June 24

Mission & District Soapbox Derby, Draper St. Online Registration is between May 15Jun 10. Pre-Race / Inspection is Jun 10, 10am - 3pm at the Mission Leisure Centre. Rain out day is Sep 23.

Soroptimist AbbotsfordMission Monthly Meeting, 10am - 12pm, 33860 Pine St, Abbotsford. See you there! Please RSVP 604-613-2334

Airport Day 2023, 11am – 5pm, Pitt Meadows Regional Airport. Food carts, beer gardens, marketplace, kid zone, sponsor displays, aircraft, www.flyypk.ca

Soapstone Carving Class, 23:30pm, 33130 1st Ave. To register call 604-302-7550 www.thenaturalworldcrystals.ca

June 24, 25

Sports Car Club of B.C. Road Race Weekend #3, 9am - 4pm both days (rain or shine), SpeedFanatics Motorsports Circuit at Mission Raceway. Spectators/ $10 or a Carload/$25. Please pay at the gate.www.sccbc.net

June 24, 25

Block Party Mission, June 24, 11am – 8pm, June 25, 11am –7pm, Fraser River Heritage Park. Free entry. Beer Garden | Live Entertainment | Local Market. greatervanfoodtruckfest.com

June 25

Gerry Griner Memorial Show, Mission Horse Club, www.missionhorseclub.org

June 25, July 23, August 27

SUNDAY SUMMER ART MARKET, 10am – 5pm. This is the first of 3 Sunday Summer Art Markets to be held at Mission Clay Worx - 7560 Hurd St. For more info, 604-826-0029 or www.missionartscouncil.ca

This is Us. Right Now. 11am –3pm, Kilby Historic Site, 215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills. Kilby.ca / 604-796-9576 / info@kilby.ca

Parking Lot party at Chances Mission with a Donation BBQ in support of Mission Hospice, 12-4pm, 7178 Horne St. www.chancesmission.com

July 3 – August 24

"CAMP MAC SUMMER REGISTRATION”, Mission Arts Centre, 33529 1st Ave. Sessions run 10-11:30am & 12:30-2pm. Ages: 5-9. Mon – Thur. Session held at the Call Mission Arts Council to pre-register at 604826-0029. For more information, www.missionartscouncil.ca

July 7 - 8

Spec -D Prospec Shootout, Mission Raceway.

July 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

The 44th Annual Harrison Festival Artisan Market, Harrison Hot Springs. harrisonfestival.com

July 9

Games Show, Mission Horse Club, for more information, www.missionhorseclub.org

July 14

Movement & the Market: Dance Showcase - Market Theme “My Passion”, 4 - 8:30pm, Fraser River Heritage Park

July 15

9th Annual Show and Shinepresented by the 4 Wheel Drive Association of BC, 10am - 4pm, Fraser River Heritage Park

July 15

The Junction Shopping Centre Summer Event. Starring Norden the Magician, Mission Raceway, Musical Guests and more! www.thejunctionmission.com