Random act of kindness honors Pax

EUREKA SPRINGS - Those strolling through Basin Park Saturday morning may have noticed 70 pots of spring flowers surrounding the historic fountain. While many passersby gave the flower pots no more than a passing glance, those who took the time to stop and read the cards placed in the pots learned that they were the beneficiaries of a random act of kindness.

As the morning passed, the number of potted flowers diminished as people picked them up happily and took them home. The flowers were gifts given by former city alderman Aaron Falotico and his wife, Carrie, in honor of their son, Pax Michael Falotico, who was stillborn Oct. 27, 2005.

One of the cards in each pot read "Pax's Petals - You have found some of Pax's Petals. Please take them home, enjoy them and remember to be kind to one another."

Those taking the flowers were invited to share their stories and read the Faloticos' story at the Web site: www.petalsforpax.org

The card explained that "A single kind gesture can resonate farther than you may think," and encourages the passing of kindness to others. Suggestions for acts of kindness include volunteering, paying for someone's meal or gas, cooking, cleaning, shopping or doing yard work for someone, or spending time with a lonely person. Recipients of an act of kindness are encouraged to "pass the kindness." More suggestions can be found at missfoundation.org and actsofkindness.org

Finding Pax's Petals was poignant for Jane Weber and Karen Zimmermann, a mother and daughter visiting from St. Louis. The two were grieving the loss of a daughter and sister and were touched by the kindness. They left with two of the larger flower pots and said they planned to take up the invitation to spread kindness upon their return home.

Falotico said he saw the busy weekend in downtown Eureka Springs as a good opportunity to extend the random act of kindness beyond the confines of the local community. The flower pots were put out pre-dawn Saturday, intended to be a surprise, Falotico said.

The flowers in the park are the beginning of a larger vision.

"Our larger goal is to form a non-profit organization called Petals for Pax," Falotico said. "Our vision for Petals for Pax is to promote kindness and bring comfort to the bereaved. To that end, we plan to purchase bulk flower seeds and package them with cards bearing a message of sympathy, hope and peace. The idea is that the flowers that bloom from the seeds will be a beautiful and joyful memorial of the dearly departed.

"These seed packets and cards will be sent to those who are grieving upon request and completely free of charge. We will have an online form whereby anyone can contact us and request them to be sent.

"We know how difficult the journey through grief is and how a small gesture can bring some light into an otherwise often dark and difficult time. This is what we hope to accomplish through Petals for Pax, and why we are hoping the media will find interest in our story so that we can help as many people as possible through their grief with our bereavement card/seed packet service."