Bouquet inspired by Ofelia Paredes, mother of Gardens America team member Victoria Rodriguez. Ofelia Paredes is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and Breast Cancer Survivor. All these titles are just a glimpse of the weight she held so, seemingly effortlessly, during the time she battled cancer. She fought with strength and faith; she modified her beauty when her head full of beautiful blonde hair turned to patches and baldness. Cancer did not kill her spirit nor dim her light or humor. She still showed up resilient for her children and grandchildren. She became friends with all the nurses and doctors she had seen most and prayed for them as though they were battling a sickness themselves. A selfless woman who fought with the help of family but, most importantly, God. Ofelia still came to the ultrasound visits of her 7th grandchild. She was still involved in her older grandchildren’s school and playtime, along with her wifely duties for her husband. In October 2014, she walked the Susan G. Komen with her husband, five children, and grandchildren, including a newborn, while still undergoing treatment. She supported herself and every other woman who was either fighting the same battle, fought and won the war, or gained her wings. Shortly after, in January 2015, she rang the bell three times in UM Sylvester, completing her radiation, following her completion of Chemotherapy in July 2015. Ofelia Paredes is a Survivor!
