Flowers for Ray

[str8razor]

Listed below is the story behind Rays flowers plus I am relisting this so that it will be easier to find.

[str8razor]

I just talked to Danielle. They are not going to have a funeral as such. In a couple of weeks whenever Laurie feels like it they are going to have a celebration in memory of their Father Ray. It is supposed to be a happy event, you know as happy as this can get, and not a sad one. This is one of Rays wishes. Danielle is going to email me her Mothers address and an address of a local florist and then I will order the flowers and have them sent to her Mothers address. I will also talk to Laurie, if she feels like it, and express our sympathies and tell her how much we will miss Ray. Danielle said that Laurie has only talked to family because she is really upset about the death of Ray. I was thinking about doing a flower arrangement that may run around $100 is that OK with everyone. Any thoughts would be apprecitated. I think that I will just post my PayPal ID and let you guys donate and when I get enough money to cover the flowers I will post again stating that I have enough. Any excess will be donated directly to Hospice and not thru the ticket thing that Ray set up. This ticket thing will have to be a personal thing because there will be a drawing for a very nice gift pack which you can see on ClassicShaving.com web site.

[str8razor]

OK here we go........I just received the email from Danielle Dupont, Rays daughter, with her Mothers address and the name and address of the local florist. I called the florist and told them the ten word version about Ray and us, the StraightRazorPlace guys. I then asked them to fix up something real nice in the $100 range and the lady that I was talking to said that they would make me proud. The flowers will be delivered to Rays wife Laurie tomorrow. I put on the card "From the Guys at StriaghtRazorPLace.com, Thanks Ray we will miss you".
I then called Danielle and told her about the flowers. We talked for a bit and she wanted to thank all of you for doing this and that it really means a lot to them. They are also so impressed that most of the dealers they did business with are making one of a kind memorium items in memory of Ray. Especially Thiers-Issard, they are making a special razor in his memory which will be with the gift package that will be picked in six months with the tickets that are sold for Hospice donations. When I called this morning and just a little while ago I could tell that she was getting a little choked up about what we are doing for her Dad. She also said that sometime maybe in two weeks or more that they are going to have a "Celebration of Life" party for Ray in a restaurant which was one of Rays wishes. Danielle has printed all of the things that you guys have said in memory of Ray and is putting them on a parchment paper and is going to read them at the party. She is going to publish this date on SRP.com so that if anyone wants to come they can.

OK here are the numbers. The flowers are costing $117.75. I put this on my credit card. I am going to donate $10.00 for the flowers and then will donate some more money to Hospice thru the Hospice tickets on ClassicShaving.com.
You guys can donate whatever you want for the flowers either thru PayPal or if you don't do PayPal you can mail me a check. I will keep track of the money and send everything over $107.75 to Hospice. when I have received enough money to cover for the flowers I will post this fact. I will mail Hospice a check with an explanation that it is from a group and don't want a receipt because if I do it online they will send me a tax deductible receipt of which I am not entitled to because it is not my money. I guess that each one of you can deduct the money however you see fit.

My PayPal email address is: bill.watkins@sbcglobal.net
My address is: Bill Watkins; 1429 S. Johnstone; Bartlesville, OK 74003
Make any checks payable to me.

[str8razor]

Wow, thanks guys I have more than enough money to cover for the
flowers. Several of you donated today which put the money over the
cost of the flowers. You, can if you want, stop sending money for the
flowers. I will wait a few days just in case someone wants to donate
plus I know there are some sending money by mail. I will then
tabulate what goes to Hospice. I think that I will also cover what
PayPal kept for their services, bless their soul. If you want to
donate further to Hospice which is where Ray wanted the money to go
you can go to ClassicShaving.com and go to the "Tribute-in Memorium"
section and buy $10 tickets. This money goes to Hospice plus in six
months there will be a drawing for the prizes listed on the page.

[FiReSTaRT]

Thanks for doing this Bill. I'm sure everybody appreciates your contribution in $$$ and effort.

[str8razor]

Hi Bill,

When the plant arrived yesterday(remember cut flowers are dying flowers and a plant lives on in memory forever!!), it brought a smile to my face as there could not have been a more perfect representation of SRP! I knew right away who it was from. If razors grew on trees - this would be the one (not to mention that it is one of my personal favorites as I collect dragons and the plant is a dracena).

Please forward my thanks, appreciation, and love to all at SRP. I have been reading the posts and getting great comfort from them.

We will let you know when the "Celebration of Ray's Life" will be so you can let any and all know.

Thank you again for your wonderful gift.

Laurie

[wopmanfixit]

Well done Bill. Thanks again.

[str8razor]

This plant is called a Dracaena marginata.
The Dracaena marginata is commonly called Red-edge Dracaena or Madagascar DRAGON tree, and can grow to 15 feet in height, supported by a long, slender truck or "cane". Laurie likes Dragons and has always wanted one of these to plant in her yard.
After seeing this plant I can see why Laurie and Danielle could vision "straight razors" on this plant. This plant was actually perfect because it is one of Lauries favorite plants plus it looks as if it does have "straight razors" on it.

[monte6177]

Thanks Bill, my wife commented several days ago that a plant would be better. So glad it was chosen and well received.
Monte

[str8razor]

Monte,
No kidding. I thought about that sometime after I talked to the florist and she did a super job. In fact I called her yesterday and profusely thanked her for the job that she did.