To the Editor:

I want to share with you an experience I had eight years ago. I had given birth to my first child just a week before Christmas. I remember being fantastically happy, and at the same time crying for bringing my child into a poor home heavy with debt.

My store was losing money hand over fist and the bills for the business had accumulated to what had seemed an unconscionable amount. I blamed myself, of course, for being too distracted and not paying closer attention to the financials.

I was angry at myself that I had brought this baby girl into an insecure environment, and it seemed closing the store was the only option. Unbeknownst to me, I was a victim of grand larceny, which I would not discover until a month later, and was later able to recover all the stolen funds.

Meanwhile, just a couple of days before Christmas, we brought the baby home. Our first stop from the hospital was the flower shop to check in and show the girls the baby.

When we came into the store, we were amazed to find packages and gifts everywhere addressed to us and the new baby Greene. There were blankets, jammies, diapers, a first Christmas outfit. All these gifts were from my patrons and Altamont and Hilltown neighbors.

I felt like George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life, and I felt that maybe there was a way I could keep the shop open. I was at that time, and have been since, overwhelmed by the support of this community and wanted to thank you all for believing in Bella Fleur and making me part of this community for 10 years.

Have the best Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays.

Diana Greene
Bella Fleur
Altamont