London so that pathologists could try to figure out what caused this beautiful little girl to stop breathing. The second job was to somehow assure the devastated parents that Danielle wasn’t leaving with a stranger. When I asked the dad if there was a special song that he liked to sing to her, he immediately responded, “Yes, Wildflowers by Tom Petty.” He continued, “I have sung it to her since the day she was born.” I pulled out my phone and found the song on iTunes. The whole way into the city, Danielle and I listened to that meaningful song. My heart was hurting on that drive. It was May and the wildflowers were in bloom along the side of the road. I felt com - pelled to pull over and pick some. I placed the wildflowers with my travelling companion, took a picture, sent it to her mom and dad and continued on my way. I met with Danielle’s family again at the ceremony we held for her. Her dad told me that the picture of the wildflowers surround - ing his daughter was the only good thing on the worst day of his life. Danielle reminded me that little things can have a big impact and that you are never too old to pick wildflowers.
Wildflowers by Bill Denning A few months ago, I had one of my most challenging moments as a funeral director and as a human being.
It began with an early morning trip into London to transfer a dearly departed person from the hospice back to the funer - al home. On my way into the city, I received a call from the police that we were needed for a “house call”. The answering service message stated it was for a child. I hightailed it back down the highway so that I could drop off the gent I had just picked up and retrieve an empty stretcher.
As I pulled up to the home of the next call, I knew it wasn’t going to be good. Three police officers including the forensics team greeted me. It was indeed a child. I was told by Victim Services that her name was Danielle, and she was 4 ½ months old. I entered the house and found a kitchen full of people that in - cluded victim services volunteers, friends, grandparents and the most broken-hearted yet courageous and loving mom and dad I have ever met. The way I saw it, I had two jobs to ac - complish. The first was to take Danielle from her home into
Denning's of Strathroy 32 Metcalf St. W. Strathroy www.strathroyfuneralhome.com 519-245-1023
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