Four-O'Clock Flowers Around
the World Cancer Memorial
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Original Printed Version of This Newspaper Article
A letter from a Louisiana man whose father died recently of cancer apparently has inspired Governor David Walters to personally add a few new plants to the gardens at the Governor’s Mansion.
In July, Kevin Donahoe of Metairie, Louisiana sent a letter to Walters that included a package of four-o’clock flower seeds. Raising the flowers, which are named for their late-afternoon blooms, was a hobby of Donahoe’s father, Jim, a recent cancer victim. Donahoe asked that the seeds be planted at the governor’s official residence both as a living tribute to his father and to all cancer patients waiting for a cure, Steve Hill, Walters’ press secretary, said Monday.
Hill said Walters, who was very touched by Donahoe’s letter, personally has planted a number of the seeds in some flower beds at the Governor’s Mansion and has written back to Donahoe."Thank you for your touching note and for including me in your father’s tribute," Walter said in a handwritten note."I lost both of my parents in the last seven months, my mother to cancer. I will personally plant the seeds."
Hill said he was not sure whether the seeds the governor planted actually have begun to sprout. "But the remaining seeds from the package were planted in the greenhouse at the mansion and they’re doing real well," Hill said. "Those flowers will be planted once they mature."
Donahoe- as a tribute to his deceased father and as a gift to his mother- has mailed four-o’clock flower seeds all over the nation and asked people to plant them. He also requested people to write back to tell him if they were able to plant the seeds and if the flowers were growing.
Donahoe plans to make an album of all the letters he receives to give to his mother on the anniversary of his father’s death. To date, Donahoe has received letters back from 45 states.
