I bought my trees from the devil.

This story is long and complicated.  I'm going to tell it from the very start, as if you knew of none of the details.  If some of it seems redundant, I apologize....this is the longest story EVER. 

When we moved into our last home, in 2003, it was brand new, just like our current house.  We were in charge of the landscaping, which was fine with me because I love landscaping.  When it was time to create our flower beds, my Mom and I worked together to create something we loved.  She and I happened to find a beautiful crabapple tree, we had no idea what kind it was, I just loved the shape, it was so different, but so simple.  I was in love.

My sister lost a baby in 2004, we started the garden just two months after her loss, his name was Jonathon.  That tree was my Jonathon tree.  I had a brick engraved with his initials made at a local landscaping place, I placed the brick at the base of the tree.

As the years passed, this tree became better and better.  So, when we had to move, the thing that made me the saddest was leaving that beautiful little tree.  I expressed my love for the tree to the new owner and told her that if she ever decided she didn't like it and wanted to get rid of it, to please call me and I would try to relocate it.  She promised me that she, too, loved the tree and she would take care of it for as long as she lived there.  That made me feel better.

When we moved into this new house, I knew I wanted the same tree, except I wanted two of them, both of them being planted in honor of James & Jake.  The problem?  I had no idea what kind of tree it was.  I began my search at big name home improvement stores, in their gardening department.  My Mom even looked in her area.  We found nothing.

I didn't know what kind of tree I wanted, but I knew I wanted to have bricks made at the same place that did Jonathon's.  On a Friday, I went there to place my order and I began talking to the owner about this particular tree.  She walked with me to the area where all of her crabapples were and she let me browse.  And I found one.  I saw that it was called Lollipop Crabapple, but I also saw that the tree was $150!  Plus, she only had one.

I was excited to have found out the type of tree, but bummed that it was so expensive and that they only had one.  I began walking toward the store front to place my brick order when I spotted another one.  I went into the store and told her there was another one, right outside the store and she told me it wasn't a lollipop crabapple.

"Well, the tag says it is," I replied.

She then agreed that I was right, it was indeed a lollipop crabapple.  I left the store with the intention to continue searching for other lollipop crabapples that may be cheaper somewhere else.  But I also felt like these trees were THE TREES, something just told me so, it's like they were just waiting for us.  But $300 for trees?  I could not fathom paying that much.

That night, I wrote about our landscaping plan and planting trees and someone who lives in my area, Jen, she left a comment that said "tonight, my family and I were coming home and drove past the landscaping place out here, and there is a sign saying if your name is Beth or Brian, stop in for a free rose...."  I replied to her comment asking her which landscape place and she said told me.  It was the exact place I had been to just hours before.

My name is Beth, my husband's name is Brian.  The fact that our names were on the sign was just a coincidence.  or so it seemed.  To me, I felt like it was meant to be and really, even Brian couldn't disagree.  (I wrote about the whole sign thing here, you can see how excited I was about the whole thing.)

On Saturday afternoon, we decided to purchase the trees.  I got in the car and called my sister, Sarah, and told her about everything and I was absolutely, positively ecstatic.  I truly felt like I had been given a sign from James and Jake or some higher power.  (God?  The universe? My grandma?  I don't know.)  My sister asked me if I was going to tell the story to the person at the landscape place, I said I was thinking about it.  She encouraged me, telling me that they would be so happy to be a part of such happiness in our life right now.  I agreed and she said "call me as soon as you are done!"

I walked in and came across a "youngish" girl, who looked very young, but wasn't nearly as young as I thought she was.  (maybe between the age of 28-34?)   I told her what trees I wanted, we walked out of the store together and I showed her the one I wanted, the one near the store.  I tell her there is another one over there, I was pointing in the crabapple tree direction.  She told me that this one is the only one they have.  I corrected her and she said "oh, well, you know better than me, then."  She was joking.  I laughed.

She wasn't overly warm, but I couldn't image not telling someone at this place about these trees and their meaning in our lives.  So, I decided to just tell her, otherwise I would regret.

"So, I have a story to tell you," I say. 

"uh, oh."  she replied.

me - "No, it's nothing bad..."and I began telling her our story, the most sacred story I have, the one that I barely share with anyone, let alone strangers, but I trusted her and feel that it was necessary and right and so I shared this moment with her.  I told her we lost our twin sons in February...

her - aw.

At this point I felt her coldness and it hurt my feelings, but I continued.

her - she barely responded to me, in the middle of my telling her this story, she talked to employees, interrupting me, multiple times.  I felt like she was beating me up.

I finally got to the end of my story, which I wished I hadn't started and at one point in the story I felt like the biggest freakin' idiot telling this person this story and just wanted to end it right there, but I continued and then the last part of the story, I said "and then this person I know tells me she saw my name and my husband's name on your sign.."

She interrupts me "THAT IS NOT OUR SIGN.  THAT IS THE FLOWER SHOPS SIGN THAT IS INSIDE OUR STORE." 

I know.  I say.  I turned away from her, I said "wow." and I began walking away from her.  Tears filling my eyes.  She says sarcastically "yes, it's meant to be."  I continue to walk.

She was acting like the reason I was telling her this story was to get something for free.

I paid for my trees and a guy loads them into my van, I open the door, sit down and I start to cry. 

She didn't care.  She didn't care about me as a grieving mother, as a woman, as a human being.  She just didn't care and I felt like SUCH AN IDIOT for trusting her with this story.  How could she be so cold?  I felt so stupid that I had gone on and on about these trees on my blog and everyone was encouraging me to buy these trees and I do and it ends up like this.  why did I have to tell her this story?  I didn't have to share it.  WHY DID IT END UP THIS WAY?  I was heartbroken.  It may seem silly that I let this perfect stranger affect me so much, but that was beyond my control.  I tried to get rid of her evil, but I couldn't.  I had such a small amount of strength that weekend and she broke me.  She completely broke me.

I did not matter to her and that's okay, I can handle that.  But the lives of James and Jake did not matter to her, and that is not okay, and I can't handle that. 

Crying, I called Brian and asked him to call the store and ask if I can return the trees.  The owner answers the phone and tells him yes, but I would be charged a 15% restocking fee and a 6% credit card fee.  She wanted to know why I didn't want the trees, she saw me drive off the lot, what was the problem?

I get home and I am so upset I can hardly breathe, Brian, the kids and I sat on our love seat together as they all tried to make me feel better, asking about James and Jake and reminding me how special they are, that they do matter and that my family is amazing.  Even my four and five year old know how to deal with death and our loss, but this other woman did not.

A few minutes later, the phone rings.  It's a cell phone.  It's the girl who blew me off.

her - Beth?

me- yes.

her - The owners just told me that you just asked if you could return the trees.  Is there problem?

me - well, not with the trees.  I have a problem with you.  I told you this story, about the death of my babies and you acted completely and totally uninterested, like we didn't matter to you. 

her - Well.  I'm quite sorry you feel this way
me- I don't think you are.
her - I am quite sorry.  I have a one year old and I can't even imagine losing her. The lollipop crabapple is a great tree, the shade it provides, the shape, etc, etc. 
me- I KNOW why they are great trees.
her - I sell a lot of trees in memoriam, I guess I have just heard every story.  I guess I'm just hardened.
me - Well, perhaps in the future, you can keep in mind that these TREES and these STORIES are all some people have, maybe next time around you won't be so "hardened" or calloused.  You are so fortunate to have no idea what it feels like to be your customer, the person looking for trees, some of us aren't as lucky as you.   
her - Well, I'm quite sorry you feel that way
me - everything about these trees and this weekend are so significant to me, you ruined it.  I don't want your trees.  You turned the little bit of light I had this weekend and brought us only darkness.  I wish I had never gone into your store today.
her - I'm quite sorry you feel this way.  (completely emotionless, throughout our entire phone call)

I should probably mention to you that I was totally sobbing the entire time we were on the phone. 

She was such a jerk.  She was the devil.  I think she may be the only person I hate.

I wanted to take the trees and shove them, well, you know.  But I knew these trees were meant to be.  I can't figure out why whatever happened the way it happened, but either way, those trees were meant to be and she will not be taking that away from us.

On July 20th, the next morning, my due date.  The phone rings again...it's her.  Oh good, I thought, she feels bad, she's going to give me a real apology.

"Hi Beth, it's jerk face from the jerk face store, I just wanted to let you know that the person who told you about our return policy was wrong, you MAY NOT return the trees."

Oh my God, are you serious, I remained calm and told her I planned to keep them. 
"greeeeaaaatttt.  They are great trees.  Again, I'm quite sorry."
"sure you are."
I hung up and wound up calling her back because her story didn't make sense and I knew she was lying to me, I mean, the OWNER told my husband what the return policy was.  The owner was wrong?  She gave me a reason why the owner was wrong, basically she said the owner didn't know I had taken the trees off of the lot.

I told Brian what she said after we hung up and said "she's lying, I told the owner you had the trees, she knew it because she saw you driving away."

So, basically she just wanted to ruin my day.  But she didn't. 

But I will never EVER step foot in that place again...and if you live in this area, I hope you don't either. 

(I know you don't know where I'm talking about, but if you live in the area (northwest Indiana) and you e-mail me, I will tell you, oh yes, I will tell you.)

Oh and if anyone tells me I was too sensitive.  I will cut you.  For real.

Comments

[Kira]

Wow. I dont' even know what to say. That is horrible. What a horrible, evil, rotten, awful, ignorant, cruel, mean-spirited and nasty woman. Okay, I guess I do know what to say! I am sorry, so very sorry, that you had to deal with someone like this. Just know that you have shared your story with so many people, and there are so many of us who DO care, and who are amazed by your strength and spirit!

[jodi]

Wow, Beth. I don't even know what to say about that kind of insensitivity. That woman obviously has some serious issues. I'm so sorry you had to endure it, all for the beautiful trees for your beautiful boys.

[Kirsten]

You were so justified in your feelings. That's like finding a nurse or a doctor who doesn't know how to deal with sickness or death. Bedside manner. It is everything in some cases. Sorry you ended up with a B****.

[Sharon - MomGenerations]

Dear Beth,
The journey to planting your sacred trees started long ago. I know that you believe these words... "A tree is the work of centuries." Think of the seeds upon seeds upon seeds that began the seedlings of what are now the great-great-great grandchildren of those seedlings - your James & Jake Lollipop Crabapple trees. The heavenly coincidences that brought you to that nursery were not coincidences at all. Those Lollipop Crabapples were telling you that they needed you. They needed care and nurturing and love. They needed to represent the most precious lives. They needed to be needed. The owner and employee did not even know that there were 2 Lollipops there? It's because they didn't care. YOU DID. The trees did. James & Jake did. Your sister did. Brian and Ariel and Racecar did. Your mother did. You rescued those trees. They thank you. And in return, they will grow and thrive and give fruit... for all who cared about them. I thank God that you didn't return the Lollipops. Those Lollipops are works of art. They reach toward heaven. They listen to you. They will tell you great stories. They have so much inside them... just like you.

Love, Sharon

[Beth/Mom2TwoVikings]

Please tell me the owner followed up, fired her, reprimanded her, SOMETHING! The owner should be FALLING over themselves trying to rectify the problem.

[Lisa]

Beth, I am so sad for you and so f'ing mad at that beotch for being such an arse. She should have been fired for the way she talked to you, not once, but with the additional phone calls. Uncalled for and i am surprised you didn't knock her off her rocker, or send your husba back to do it for you. I am incensed on your behalf.

Don't let the horrible purchase experience ruin the enjoyment of your beautiful trees and the remebrance of your boys.

[To Think Is To Create]

After reading this post I was so angry and wanted to get in my car and go yell at somebody, preferably the beast in question.

But then I read Sharon's comment, and, well. I'm not mad anymore. The tree's journey had a little bump in the road (this awful altercation) but their place is with you. The beauty they possess will be gifted to you and your family. They are perfect and were meant for you.

xoxo

[Some People Call Me Mom]

Wow.

Just wow.

I'm sorry for that womans stupidity and for the pain she caused you.

[Missy]

What an utter and complete biotch! I am so sorry you had to deal with her.

Enjoy your trees, don't allow her to tarnish the meaning they hold for you in your heart. And lots of gentle hugs to you.

[Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama]

Oh, hon. I'm so sorry you had to go through that crap. That woman was just an ass.

Sharon hit the nail on the head. You rescued those trees from a vile situation. Love them. They are yours now.

[Ryley]

Wow..

That's just crazy... I can't believe her..

I hope you don't let that always taint your memory of the tree's.... I can't wait to see the tree's "grow up"

[Rhonda (Mimi)]

Oh my gosh Beth, I had so much I wanted to say to you until I read Sharon's comment....It is so true....you rescued those 2 little trees and they are so happy to be a part of your family who can love and nurture them. I SO get it what Sharon said. You turned Evil into Good! It WAS meant for you to buy them. That mean ole' lady reminds me of the wicked witch in the story books. I look forward to seeing how these trees do grow.

[Sincerely Anna]

She was way out of line and her excuses are worth squat - I'm so sorry this happened to you.

[Carrie]

You want me to come there and return the trees for you? I'll even pay the little fees that they want to charge...There's a place up here that would give you much better service, granted that is awfully far to drive for trees but still. I'd be happy to come return them for you.
and yes, the trees were from the devil. That girl should be shot.

[Angela]

That girl really is evil. I know that I end up getting hypersensitive in those situations but even if you were she was still so out of line it was horrible. I really really hope that you draft a letter sharing how that employee repeatedly treated you including that last phone call. Please please write them a letter. I am not asking you to to "get" something but rather so that owner can know the kind of person she has employed and how that person treats customers.

[debi]

As I wipe the tears away I know that in the end you have wonderful family and friends and you will get through this. What is really sad is that evil person has a small child that learns from mommy how to treat others. She seems to have no heart.

[Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt]

You were not too sensitive. Trees and babies notwithstanding, that was a TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE failing at customer service. I think might have written the owners a letter.

Enjoy the trees and give her no more thought.

[Andrea]

Beth, you are at the top of my list when I roam around my blogs...I think you're fantastic. I was ready to freak out about this idiotic woman, but then like the others I read Sharon's comment. (kudos for your words, Sharon) I feel better now...I hope you take comfort in all the positive around you; all the people who are projecting kind and loving wishes to you. The more thought you give to the negative part of this tree buying escapade, you are giving it power to grow. Put thought into the trees, and what they mean to you and your family...watch the good grow instead.
Love and Kindess, Andrea

[Heather]

I've been waiting for the conclusion of this story since you first posted about it. I had no idea how angry it would make me. Seriously angry. (Also, read Sharon's post and can I just say again that I wish she were my mom?) I hate that you were treated that way. You really didn't deserve it and I hope that her words and attitude towards you keeps her up at night until she finds a way to make it right. If you were here, I'd totally hug you and then we'd go throw eggs at her house. Or something.

[Megan]

I would have called the owner pretending to be another nursery and tell the owner that the nasty lady had applied for a new job at my nursery and that I was calling to check her references. Make her employer think that she is out looking for a new job.

But that's just mean old me :)

[Jenna]

I agree with all that has been said. If it had been just one incident, well, we all have bad days. But the fact that you had multiple encounters with her and she was that rude throughotu makes me a little sorry that I consider myself a human being and there are such human beings out there. I would have listened to your story and in fact read your blog regularly in order to listen to your story.

[Jenna]

I agree with all that has been said. If it had been just one incident, well, we all have bad days. But the fact that you had multiple encounters with her and she was that rude throughotu makes me a little sorry that I consider myself a human being and there are such human beings out there. I would have listened to your story and in fact read your blog regularly in order to listen to your story.

[Jessica]

So now I want to move there so I can go to that store and tell them why I will not shop there. I can't believe anyone would be that insensitive. I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that.

[Adventures In Babywearing]

Beth, this was one of the hardest posts of yours I've read, to get through, my heart hurts. I don't understand. I only imagine that this person is miserable and cold and already in her own Hell- otherwise there is no explanation for why anyone would treat ANYONE that way- no matter your story. I am so sorry you had to go through that.

Steph

[Mary C]

You are NOT being too sensitive! I would have cried my eyes out, too! She is a senseless, heartless person. I would write a letter to the owners letting them know exactly why you will not be patronizing their business anymore. Or, just send them a link to this post! HUGS!