Loved from afar
Maria’s a hit – in Canada
Friendship, love and admiration transcended the miles this week when a grateful mum contacted the Reformer all the way from Canada to nominate a kindhearted Rutherglen woman as the recipient of this week’s Say it with Flowers Competition bouquet.
Pauline Ferguson, who moved with her family to Grande Prairie, Alberta, in April, didn’t hesitate to nominate Rutherglen childminder Maria Kean for a stunning bouquet from Stems of Burnside when she read about the new Say it with Flowers competition in the Rutherglen Reformer online.
The competition offers readers a way of saying how much they appreciate that special someone who makes a massive diffrence to their community and the lives of those around them.
For Pauline, Maria was the obvious deserving recipient of a hand-tied bunch of blooms, expertly designed by Stems’ talented and creative owner, Janet Freeman.
Mum of two Maria, of Glentarbert Road, became a childminder to Pauline’s baby son Ben – who is now nine – when she decided to return to work.
Pauline told us: “I would like to nominate Maria Kean, an amazing childminder, mother and wife.
“This amazing lady watched my son from the age of 11 months to when he was five and sent him to school a confident young boy ready to take on the world.
“I have a friend for life in this woman who would do anything for you.”
When Maria’s husband Derek was diagnosed with leukaemia almost a year ago, Pauline said the couple and their two sons Caleb, 15, and Xander, 12, faced tough times ahead.
Maria continued to work as a childminder – a job she loves – while sharing her life and home with children during this time. Derek is now doing well and has returned to work.
“It has been hard on all the family, but this has never once stopped her caring and nurturing the children in her care,” explained Pauline, who previously lived in Rutherglen. “She is an amazing woman.”
Maria, 45 – who has worked as a childminder for nine years – was stunned when we called her with the news that she had been honoured by a friend at the other side of the world for her warm and caring nature and the contribution she made to Ben’s early years.
Maria – who is currently a childminder to six children aged between one and seven – “I am totally shocked. It is lovely to think you’ve had such an impact on a child’s life. To us, they are just like family.
“I have stayed in touch with all the children I have taken care of and their families, Pauline included.
“All my parents become really good friends. You build up such a trusting relationship, taking their wee bundles of joy on. My job working as a childminder is priceless. The things the children come out with always puts a smile on my face.”
Pauline was thrilled to learn that Maria had been chosen as this week’s winner from a batch of deserving Say it with Flowers nominees.
“We have stayed close with Maria and her whole family and hope they might visit us,” said Pauline. “To know she is being acknowledged in this way is amazing. Thank you.”
Accepting her flowers, a modest Maria said: “I do not feel I deserve it. But to be nominated and recognised by someone is such a beautiful thing to do.”
To nominate someone for a handcrafted bouquet from Stems, send your name, address and contact number, the name of the person you wish to nominate and information about why you think they deserve to receive the Bouquet of the Week to: Say It With Flowers competition, Rutherglen Reformer, One Central Quay, Glasgow G3 8DA, or email news@ rutherglenreformer.co.uk.
Entries should arrive by Monday. If yours is the winner, our reporter will contact you to arrange for the flowers to be delivered to the winner. We’ll capture the moment on camera and share your unsung hero’s story and your appreciation for all they do in the pages of the Reformer.