REGINA'S AHA MOMENT!

AN EARNEST SEARCH FOR LIFE'S DEEPER MEANING 

The air was heavy with the fragrance of fresh roses and carnation. Red and white rose petals spread out on the fluffy warm carpet, mimicking a romantic setting. The center piece for each table was a long slim glass vase with tulips planted in white wool. Small and beautifully wrapped gift boxes sat next to the vases completing the elegant display on the neatly draped tables and comfy seats.

Her name was Regina, a stylishly dressed lady in her early thirties, quite talkative as I came to appreciate later. ‘Petal Art’ was her dream-child, an exhibition that showcased the best in flower design and arrangement. She was successfully hosting it for the third year and tonight was the launch dinner. Tomorrow, hundreds of enlisted designers would fill the hall and for the next three days give the eager public a spectacular show presaging floral art.

Having treated my palate to luxurious elegance and exotic food, it was time to have my tete a tete with her; my editor was counting on this piece to complete the lifestyle pullout. We chose the terrace, less crowded and cool. ‘A beautiful event it is’ I said in a congratulatory manner as we took our seats. ‘Thank you’ she responded. ‘Am looking forward to the main event, I have been dreaming about this one all year’ she added beckoning a waiter to serve a hot chocolate. ‘And you are a dreamer, which is why am here. Tell me more’ I said, leaning over to take in every word and capture every expression. She smiled warmly muttered something under her breath then began her life story ‘I worked as a quality control manager for one of the leading flower companies in the country. The terms were great coupled with trips to various export destinations. Then I was fresh from college, young and single. Sometime after marriage, I started longing for something deeper, something that was true to me, something that I could do even if there was no dime to it. I longed to express myself using my gift in design and decor more than my academic qualifications. As a child, I had always looked forward to Christmas for one main reason – decorating the house. Such memories suddenly become a fixation. I found myself taking every opportunity to decorate and arrange things’. She paused to sip more of her chocolate and then continued.

‘My passion for decorating was bursting out and I was truly enjoying every moment that I was able to express it. On the other hand, my job had slowly become a lug. I literally dragged myself to work. I tried finding a balance. Was there a possibility that I could enjoy both? I would ask myself. After months of struggle, I took my leave, perhaps it would help if I reflected on things away from work. What awaited me was beyond my wildest imagination.

Stella a close friend ran an event company majoring in wedding supplies. She invited me to meet a couple that needed her services and then have our monthly chit chat over lunch. The couple took us through their requirements, which at that point I thought were over the edge. They paid a deposit and left. As soon as they were out of sight, Stella buried her head into her hands and sighed. I asked her what the matter was. ‘I have double booked’ she answered. Then, without any warning, she gave me the notes she had taken and said excitedly, ‘your event’ I tried resisting, reminding her that it was a real wedding and I was inexperienced. ‘Rey, I have seen how well you decorate. You will be just fine’ she said and closed the subject by moving on to something else. Regina paused for a moment and laughed heartily on remembering how bland her lunch suddenly tasted despite it being her favourite meal. Then she carried on.

‘That was the beginning of sleepless nights. I turned and tossed, dreamed of falling tents and black roses. My husband was supportive, though I caught him laughing at my nightmares a few times. He however believed I would do it and even promised to help. I prepared as much as I could, wedding-crashed once and researched online.

On the morning of the wedding, my heart was racing so fast one would mistake me for the bride. A cocktail of feelings run through me - of excitement, fear and furious at Stella for been so calm wherever she was. With a team of six sent in by Stella and my husband, we started decorating the cars. My confidence mounted with every stunningly decorated car; my creative juices replaced the fear. I now boldly looked forward to decorating the venue.

It was a perfectly manicured garden, a calm oasis away from the city with a crystal clear pond and a big old fashioned mansion. We set up the tents and draped the seats and tables in black and fuchsia. Each table had a centerpiece, a beautiful bouquet of roses and carnation held together by a glittering fuchsia piece. My team skillfully arranged the flowers in elegantly designed metal flower stands all around the tents as I went to do the cake gazebo which was my favourite spot.

Fresh pink roses in an elegant flower vase, beautiful china and stainless steel, sparkling wine glasses loosely strapped with chic white lace, scented candles, beautifully conceived draping, trumpeting angels! It was glorious.

‘And as we drove away, leaving behind a breathtaking panorama crowned by the golden warmth of the mid- morning sun, I prayed that this sight would bring a smile to the bride and groom and etch a sweet memory in the petals of their heart. My own heart resonated with a song –Born for this by Mandisa. I needed no further convincing; I had found my place in the circle of life. I wanted to look for Stella and give her an everlasting hug!’

Regina paused again to sip her chocolate which was now cold. She had this expression in her face that communicated how passionate she was about her work. I waited eagerly to hear the rest of the story. She continued.

‘My husband knew too well where I was with this experience. With one hand on the steering, he reached out and squeezed mine. I squeezed him back, desperately holding back tears. He offered to help draft my resignation letter; he knew how terrible I was at that. My resignation would shock my employer as it would our finances temporarily, but somehow we felt prepared to make sacrifices. For the first time in a long long time, I felt completely exhilarated. I felt right and peaceful and renewed. It was my time to seize the moment and build my dream. There was no turning back, somehow, I knew it was going to work; it was going to be a success’

Regina’s eyes were watery, the passion in her voice an indication of how dear the path she had followed was to her. I reached out and passed her a pocket tissue; she wiped away the tear in the middle of a giggle, sipped from her refreshed cup of chocolate and then continued with gusto. ‘Knowing and pursuing this dream brought so much joy and fulfilment in my life. The possibilities and the opportunities are immense. I am in utter bliss! I am a better person because of it. I believe wholly that God created me to display his ever so beautiful mind. In the words of Danish thinker Søren Kierkegaard: The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wants me to do; the thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live or die. Event décor is that thing for me’ Regina wrapped up.