A family will remember a fun-loving husband and dad with a limited edition pink poppy this summer as they continue to support City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign.
Forever Flowers, which is returning for its sixth year, invites supporters to remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and other loved ones with a lasting tribute. This year’s Forever Flower is a pink poppy, symbolising love, compassion, peace and admiration.
The pink poppies will feature in a beautiful display within the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 1 to Saturday 8 August, with a special Celebration of Life event taking place on Thursday 6 August.
Rosemary, her daughter Charlotte and their family began supporting Forever Flowers while husband and dad Michael was receiving care from City Hospice. Following his passing in 2022, the family has continued to purchase each year’s unique flower and will dedicate their pink poppy to Michael this summer.
Rosemary said: “Michael was the love of my life. I am so glad that we got to spend 37 wonderful years together, with two beautiful children. He always made me laugh every day in some shape or form, right up until the last minute.”
Charlotte said: “Dad commanded attention in the room without even trying. Everyone wanted to listen to him because he always had something fun and exciting to say. He was just the most amazing person, my biggest cheerleader, and he’s in my mind all the time.”
Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2019 after continuing to experience pain following a fall in the autumn. He received specialist palliative care at home from City Hospice.
Rosemary said: “The wraparound City Hospice gave us was second to none. Our nurse translated what had all of a sudden become a different language, explaining all about cancer, what can happen, what the treatments are and helping us navigate difficult decisions. They were magnificent, always there to provide support and friendship. Our last few years together were much easier knowing that City Hospice were there for us.”
In addition to the care Michael received from the charity during his illness, the family has also benefitted from City Hospice’s bereavement counselling support.
Charlotte said: “A little while after Dad’s passing, I wasn’t coping very well. I didn’t know where to go or who to turn to, so I took City Hospice up on their bereavement counselling. I couldn’t be more thankful for everything they did, and how supportive and helpful they have been. I can’t imagine having gone through this journey without them.”
Following the display at Cardiff Castle in August, the family will ‘plant’ their pink poppy in a pot in the back garden with their other Forever Flowers.
Rosemary said: “The Forever Flowers are a permanent fixture in our garden, a special way to remember Michael. Every time I step outside my door, he’s there. It’s so nice to know that each flower purchased will help the charity financially and enable them to support more families like ours.”
Charlotte added: “Whenever we sit in the garden and look at these flowers, it’s a forever memory. With each flower, it’s a new memory we’re creating for Dad.”
