SANDY — Forty-five year old Elizabeth Plehn loves roses.

“I think roses are elegant and beautiful”, Plehn said from her home in Sandy. “They come in so many colors and I love them.”

Several times a month, she’ll bring home two dozen roses at a time. But the flowers are never for her.

“I saw these gorgeous bouquets of roses and thought I could make someone’s day just by surprising them for no reason — just showing up on their door with them.”

So began what she calls "The Rose Game."

“I call it ‘The Rose Game,'" the mother of three explained, “because it’s really so much fun and I have no idea where it’s going to take me.”

Plehn’s rose game is very simple. She buys the roses, finds someone in need, and visits them with one beautiful flower. That person then recommends someone else in need, and she finds them. It continues until the very last rose is lovingly delivered.

But her game was put on hold four years ago when she was diagnosed with cancer.

“Normally you don’t get a colonoscopy until you’re 50, but I knew something was wrong and I went to the doctor and found out I have colon cancer," she said.

Despite surgery, chemotherapy, and the hope of a cure, Plehn’s cancer returned —twice.

“Right now my lungs are full of little tumors and there’s nothing they can do to get rid of them," she said.

Even with the diagnosis, Plehn won’t slow down to smell the roses, continuing to give them away to others in need. Recently, she took KSL along for a ride. She grabbed a dozen yellow roses, put them in a container in her van, and hit the road. Cindi Meier, also of Sandy, was her first rose recipient. Meier is battling cancer for a fifth time.

“Hi Cindi”,” Plehn said to Meier as she handed her the rose. “This is for you. It’s from Lysa.”

She also received a hand-written note from her good friend from cards Plehn has made in advance.

“The best part of doing this,” Plehn added, “is when I take a rose to someone, I get to ask them who to take the next rose to and so it gives them an opportunity to serve and that’s where the joy comes in."

Overcome with emotion, Meier talked about receiving the rose.

“Her love for everybody, and because she wants to share it not matter what she’s going through, it means a lot,” Meier said through her tears.

Then it was her turn to nominate someone in need. Meier wrote the name and a personal note a friend, then Plehn returned to her car and was on her way.

One rose down, 11 more to go

A few blocks away, Plehn knocked on the door of Cathy Longstroth, another woman and friend battling cancer. She introduces herself and hands her a rose.

“Oh my goodness,” Longstroth said. “It’s beautiful!”

After a short visit, and several hugs, Longstroth couldn’t contain her excitement.

“Thank you. This was a good day to get it. Thank you so much.”

The meaning of this heartfelt deed was evident on Longstroth’s face.

Plehn returned to her car with 10 roses waiting for a new home.

“I love to go in and visit with them, especially the people who are lonely," Plehn said. "It’s almost a selfish thing that I keep doing this rose game because I know it’s going to bring me joy and I know I’m going to meet these wonderful people.”

Back in the car, Plehn began driving to see Cathy’s friend, Debbie Hillesheim. Like Cathy, Debbie needed a good hug and a note that said she was loved.

Plehn knocked on her door and told her about the rose and its giver. Hillesheim's husband of over 40 years passed away six weeks before the delivery, and the rose was a beautiful reminder of the man she loved so dearly.

“I don’t know if you know this,” Hillesheim said, “but the yellow rose is my favorite flower and that’s what Dan would have given me for Valentine’s Day.”

Hillesheim broke down and cried before the game continued.

One by one, Plehn pulled a rose from her car and lovingly delivered all 12 while Plehn found a dozen new friends. Since her game began, she now has hundreds all across the Salt Lake Valley.

Some days her game can be very tiring. With her health and future uncertain, Plehn continues on.

“I want this to point people to God, not me,” Phlen said. “I just want to fall into the background and I want people to remember how much God loves them.”

Plehn returned to her car now empty of roses, but finished her game with a heart filled with love.

To read more about Elizabeth Plehn’s experiences delivering roses go to: http://23newfriends.blogspot.com/

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