May 19, 2015

A popular local social media prompt is “You know you’re from Ocala if…” Readers respond by filling in the blank, sometimes adding sepia-colored photos of landmarks long gone. The Brahma Restaurant. The courthouse on the square. The 4 B’s Restaurant, which served the best bacon-wrapped filets. Man, I miss those steaks.
But I’m going to miss something much more. Petal Pusher Florist has closed.
For more than 30 years, Dan Truluck owned the floral shop that became a canvas for creativity. And not just for flower arranging, although a Truluck floral creation was a work of art. Dan is a true Renaissance man. He’s an artist who painted murals in his children’s rooms that would rival that of Michelangelo.
He is well-read and, even better, well thought of. This translated into a vibrant and innovative work environment. You knew when you received something from Petal Pusher. It was enveloped in color, ingenuity and pure panache. No order was too difficult. You could tell Dan you wanted to include a broomstick in the arrangement and you would end up with a museum-worthy piece.
But it was never too fussy. Dan didn’t do fussy. He did real. And intentional.
See, the best part about Dan the florist is he knew that flowers were never about the rose or the hydrangea or one of his trademark orchids. It was about sentiment. That was his wheelhouse. Dan was the shop. He was the man behind the boutonniere, and Petal Pusher was his muse.
If Dan answered the work phone, you’d get a personalized floral order, and you also had a good chance of engaging in an existential conversation about life, baseball, politics, NPR and fishing. One time, I called the shop and hung up informed about the beauty of the phosphorescent water off Mosquito Lagoon. I got flowers and a little bit smarter.
Teenagers called Mr. Dan for dance corsages. Mothers booked him a year in advance for their daughters’ weddings. Men found him handy to create something beautiful and unique for their special someone. Our community turned to Dan to craft a tribute to celebrations, memorials, tragedies and triumphs. And he and his talented team always got it right.
Dan’s shop had a marquee sign facing busy Silver Springs Boulevard near downtown. This was Kismet for Dan’s wit to be displayed. His posted observations were funny, poignant, a tad irreverent and timely. Sometimes, they were personal. Like when he became engaged to his beloved wife, Laurie Ann:
And then the sun came out — and said yes.
Or when, after many years of trying to add to their family, Dan announced:
It took us 7 years to gain 6 pounds. It’s a girl!
And this one that still gets to me after all these years:
Happy holidays, Amy and Mike. Griffin is home!!!
Our son, Griffin, was born prematurely and, as fate would have it, six hours after the birth of the Truluck’s son, Hank Weston. Griffin was hospitalized for five weeks. Dan celebrated Griffin’s homecoming with his sign. Dan also wore his hospital nursery bracelet until Mike and I brought Griffin home.
He is that kind of friend.
And after three decades of running a successful business and entertaining boulevard commuters, Dan is moving on to a new and exciting chapter of his life.
But oh how that last chapter will be missed. Petal Pusher Florist captured a Capra-esque quality of a unique time and place.
I know I’m from Ocala because I had the chance to live during this unique time and place when a tiny flower shop graced our town and hearts. So I submit this suggestion for a parting sign:
Thank you, Dan and Petal Pusher Florist. You made our lives phosphorescently brighter with beauty and kindness. And thanks for teaching me a new big word.