Back in 1967 I needed a job to help pay for radio school. My mom suggested I ask a family friend about working for him in his flower shop. It was a family florist owned and operated by two brothers and their sister. It wasn't the biggest in town, but had one of the best reputations. Luckily, they were looking for a delivery boy and I got the job. But, it was more than delivering flowers. My duties included bringing the boxes of flowers left on the loading dock early in the morning into the shop and sorting the boxes according to kind. One of the brothers would check the boxes to see that they were all there. Then, I was taught how to prepare the flowers for display. When I wasn't delivering flowers, I'd keep the shop clean, stock the shelves, and get materials for the brothers and sister as they made arrangements. I had noticed a big refrigerated vault right in the middle of the work area that never had anything in it. That was until Christmas. By the first of December that vault was filled with fir. There were yards and yards of fir garland and fir and cedar wreaths and Christmas trees. Some as tall as fifteen feet. The aroma in the vault was wonderful and I went in it as much as I could. That time with the florist is one of the most memorable Christmases I've ever had. Taking Christmas arrangements to the homes and hospitals and seeing the expressions on people's faces gave me a spirit I'd never had. And some of the experiences I'll never forget. Like the time I was told to go by a house to pick up some glass vases from a home as my last stop before coming back to the shop. They told me to take care in packing them . The vases would be filled with flowers and I would take them back the next night. When I got back, all three of them checked the vases for any damage and there wasn't any. It was then that they told me the vases were priceless and had been in in the family over 150 years! They told me they didn't tell me so I wouldn't be nervous. One time I had to set up a 15 foot tree at a local restaurant. Easy enough until the manager said he wanted it outside on a little island in the middle of a fish pond, 3 feet from the edge! It was a cold, rainy afternoon, but I put it up. Then, there was the 5 foot diameter fir wreath with a big red bow to match for a record company. That was heavy! But, all that didn't matter because I was bringing Christmas to so many people.