Flowers spread message of love to youth centre

In Hamlet we learned that rosemary is for remembrance, and pansies, well, they’re for thoughts. Floriography – or the language of flowers – is apparently still practised in the world despite its roots in the Victorian era.

It also lends itself as the subject of the popular and appropriately titled book, The Language of Flowers by author Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

Now a new book club is making that book the topic of discussion at its upcoming inaugural meeting, and the author herself will be there in a manner of speaking.

The Perennial Book Club is preparing to host its Winter Garden Tea Party later this month. Marcia Hole, the group’s representative, is hoping to make it an opportunity to gather those who appreciate good stories and also want to make the world a better place.

“What we’re trying to do is take literature and pair it with an appropriate charity that has a similar theme,” she elaborated.

The event is meant to raise funds for YESS, the recently renamed Youth Empowerment and Support Services. The group works to promote independence and self-sufficiency for youth at risk, but it has had a storied history of struggling finances. It is currently sitting at about 62 per cent of its annual fundraising goal of $1 million. If it doesn’t meet that goal by Jan. 17 then it will be forced to reduce its hours of service to the hundreds of youths it helps every year.

Hole went on to say that the book is about a young woman who finds her own independence.

“This book is fabulous! It’s about a woman emancipating from the foster care system in the States. She learns to communicate through the secret language of flowers. That’s how all the pieces fit together. We thought that YESS would be a great charity to pair up with.”

“I think that once people read the book, they will forever see flowers in a different way. I think they’re going to see at risk or vulnerable youth in a new light as well.”

Diffenbaugh will appear at the event via Skype from Cambridge to participate in a 40-minute interview and chat about the book. That will take place during the first part of the program leaving the second part for table groups to have their own discussions.

Hole said that she’s thrilled about the prospect of meeting so many like-minded people. In the spirit of floriography, she said that the event room itself has added significance.

“What a perfect place to have it in the Moonflower Room. Moonflower means ‘dreaming of love.’ We’re hoping that people will share some of that love with these kids who really need a hand.”